Moral Distress and Associated Factors Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students: A Multisite Descriptive Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Bioethics
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Previous research links moral distress in licensed nurses to burnout and turnover.
• The phenomenon of moral distress in nursing students remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate moral distress levels in senior baccalaureate nursing students.
• To identify ethical dilemmas causing moral distress in clinical settings.
• To determine factors influencing inaction when facing ethical dilemmas.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was utilized across three academic institutions.
• Data were collected from 267 senior baccalaureate nursing students.
• Content analysis identified themes in distressing clinical situations and reasons for inaction.

Main Results:

• The average moral distress rating was 3.12.
• Key themes included compromised best practices, disrespect for human dignity, perceived constraints, and navigating personal values.
• Frequent reasons for inaction were subordinate role, relationship preservation, insufficient knowledge, and uncertainty.

Conclusions:

• Findings provide insights for nursing educators to develop targeted strategies.
• Interventions can focus on preventing and managing moral distress in student nurses.
• Addressing ethical challenges is crucial for student well-being and professional development.