Iranian perioperative nurses' lived experiences of moral distress: A phenomenological study

The present study was performed with the aim of exploring the experiences of moral distress among perioperative nurses in Iran, specifically focusing on their encounters with anaesthetised patients. Despite its significance, this issue has received limited attention from researchers.

A phenomenological study based on Van Manen's six-research-activities approach was employed in this study. The phenomenon was perioperative nurses experience of moral distress. Perioperative nurses in two general hospitals in Iran were purposefully invited as participants. Semi-structured individual interviews were performed using open-ended questions, and two focus groups were conducted. Interviews were recorded using a digital sound recorder and typed word for word upon the participant's consent. Thematic analysis was performed by hermeneutic phenomenological reflection.

Lived experiences of perioperative nurses of moral distress were derived from three main themes: psychological confusion, low self-esteem, and struggle to look after oneself.

The findings of the present study revealed that perioperative nurses experienced moral distress as a negative feeling which threatens their humanity and professional work. Understanding this experience can empower nurses to uphold their values and encourages managers and researchers to intervene to reduce moral distress.