Coping with moral distress during COVID-19.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Ethics
• Nursing Practice
• Public Health Crises

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented ethical challenges for healthcare professionals.
• Moral anguish, encompassing moral distress, has been widely reported among nurses in the US.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define and discuss moral distress and other forms of moral anguish experienced by nurses.
• To examine the exacerbating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses' moral distress.
• To outline effective coping strategies for nurses facing moral anguish.

Main Methods:

• This article is a discussion and synthesis of existing knowledge and experiences.
• It draws upon observations and reported experiences of nurses and healthcare professionals during the pandemic.

Main Results:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly intensified moral distress and other moral anguish among nurses.
• Nurses experienced profound ethical conflicts and emotional burdens.

Conclusions:

• Addressing nurses' moral anguish is critical for their well-being and the healthcare system.
• Implementing targeted coping strategies can mitigate the negative effects of moral distress on nurses.