Moral distress in public health practice: Case studies from nursing education

Moral distress in critical care nursing has been well studied; however, there is a gap in the literature related to moral distress among nurses and nursing students practicing in the community. This paper describes moral distress experienced during participation in the Interprofessional Care Access Network, a community-based nurse-led education and practice program providing longitudinal care coordination for underserved individuals and families in rural communities and urban neighborhoods. Two case studies represent client situations resulting in moral distress for nursing faculty and students. Contributing factors include unaddressed social determinants creating barriers to health and health care; inexperience and discomfort with people living in extreme poverty; lack of access to critical services for the most vulnerable; and powerlessness to influence discriminatory systems. Strategies are described to reduce moral distress and build moral resilience among students and faculty practicing in the community. Research is needed to expand understanding of causes, interventions, and consequences of moral distress in public health nursing.