Nurses' ethical challenges caring for people with COVID-19: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Clinical nursing practice frequently presents ethical challenges.
• Infectious environments exacerbate ethical dilemmas for nurses, potentially leading to psychological distress and mental health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the ethical challenges faced by nurses caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• To offer recommendations and support for promoting the mental health of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study employing content analysis.
• In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 purposively sampled nurses in China who cared for COVID-19 patients.
• Data collection and analysis occurred between February and March 2020.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes emerged: ethical challenges (related to patients, inequality, professional ethics, job competency), coping styles (active control, seeking support, staying focused), and career impacts (skill development).
• Ethical challenges encompassed patient care, fairness, professional conduct, and competence.

Conclusions:

• Nurses encountered multifaceted ethical challenges while providing care to COVID-19 patients.
• Findings can inform strategies for safer, more ethical, and humanistic nursing care.
• Addressing these challenges is vital for nurse well-being and professional development.