Moral Distress Among School Nurses.
Shannon Baker Powell1, Martha Keehner Engelke1, Melvin S Swanson1
11 East Carolina University College of Nursing, Greenville, NC, USA.
Summary
Nearly all school nurses experience moral distress due to common ethical dilemmas in their practice. This study quantifies this distress and its strong correlation with workplace challenges faced by school nurses.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Healthcare Ethics
- Pediatric Care
Background:
- School nurses provide care to diverse student populations.
- Their roles can involve complex ethical challenges, leading to moral distress.
- Understanding this distress is crucial for supporting school nurses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the level of moral distress among school nurses.
- To identify common moral dilemmas contributing to this distress.
- To explore the relationship between moral distress and nurse characteristics.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted with 307 school nurses in North Carolina.
- Moral distress was measured using the moral distress thermometer.
- Common moral dilemmas were identified via a researcher-developed questionnaire.
Main Results:
- 97.3% of participating school nurses reported experiencing moral distress.
- All identified common moral dilemmas were positively correlated with moral distress levels.
- Specific dilemmas significantly contribute to the overall moral distress experienced.
Conclusions:
- Moral distress is highly prevalent among school nurses.
- Common ethical dilemmas are strongly linked to school nurse moral distress.
- Interventions addressing these dilemmas may alleviate moral distress in this population.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Ethical Dilemmas I
2.1K
Ethical dilemmas in nursing are of utmost importance, as they often arise from the tension between adhering to core ethical principles and the practical realities of healthcare delivery. These dilemmas require nurses to navigate complex situations where competing ethical considerations pull them in different directions.
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...
2.1K
01:27Ethical Issues
2.3K
Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
2.3K
01:25Ethical Standards I
1.6K
The American Nurses Association (ANA) created and implemented the first nationally accepted Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. The Code of Ethics is a living document regularly updated by the ANA and establishes an ethical standard that is non-negotiable for nurses in all roles and settings.
The Code of Ethics provisions outline the nurse's duty to the patient, the healthcare team, the profession, and society. The Code's fundamental principles include advocacy,...
The Code of Ethics provisions outline the nurse's duty to the patient, the healthcare team, the profession, and society. The Code's fundamental principles include advocacy,...
1.6K
01:08Obedience
35.7K
According to obedience research, we may harm others under the forceful pressures of an authority figure (Milgram, 1974). How about if the inappropriate orders were delivered with less force? The increasing interdependence between nurses and physicians compelled Hofling and his colleagues to explore nurses’ reactions to a potentially harmful medical request made by the perceived authority figure, the doctor (Hofling, Brotzman, Dalrymple, Graves, & Pierce, 1966). In this situation,...
35.7K
01:16Nurses' Legal Responsibilities III
1.5K
Nurse-to-nurse relationships are legally required to adhere to professional standards, ensuring a respectful and positive working environment. Professional conduct demands that nurses treat all colleagues respectfully and courteously, fostering a productive, supportive workplace. Nurses must actively eliminate bullying, discrimination, and harassment to maintain a safe and inclusive environment.
Cultivating a culture of collaboration and mutual respect among nurses transcends mere enhancement...
Cultivating a culture of collaboration and mutual respect among nurses transcends mere enhancement...
1.5K
01:29Nursing Code of Ethics
5.3K
The Nursing Code of Ethics sets the ethical benchmark for the profession, and guides nurses in ethical analysis and decision making at the societal, organizational, and clinical levels. The code encompasses showing compassion and respect for the patient, their families, and communities in all circumstances while committing to providing patient-centered care. In addition, the code states that nurses must advocate for the patient by defending a cause or recommendation to protect their rights,...
5.3K