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Nurses' Experiences and Perspectives of Conscientious Objection in Practice: A Qualitative Systematic Review
Abdulrahman Alghathayan1,2, Zaneta Smith1, Morgan Smith1
1Adelaide Nursing School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|October 21, 2025
Summary
Nurses
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Healthcare Ethics
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Conscientious objection is a complex issue in healthcare.
- Understanding nurses' perspectives is crucial for ethical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore nursing experiences and perspectives on conscientious objection.
- To synthesize findings from qualitative studies.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative Systematic Review.
- Searched five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Emcare, Scopus, PsycINFO).
- Appraised studies using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools.
Main Results:
- 15 studies from 11 countries included.
- Identified five themes: conflicts with beliefs, policy/law, team dynamics, care dilemmas, and forms of objection.
- Nurses experience moral, ethical, religious, and personal conflicts.
Conclusions:
- Nurses' perspectives on conscientious objection are diverse.
- Conflicts can lead to burnout, stress, and emotional exhaustion.
- Clear guidelines are needed to support nurses' ethical decision-making.
Keywords:
clinical practiceconscience refusalconscientious objectionexperiencemidwivesnursesnursingperspectivesqualitativesystematic reviewMore Related Videos
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