Moral distress and intention to leave: A comparison of adult and paediatric nurses by hospital setting. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dyo, Melissa; Kalowes, Peggy; Devries, Jessica
• Is Part Of: Intensive and critical care nursing. Volume 36(2016)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 48
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Critical care -- Cultural differences -- Moral distress -- Nursing; Intensive care nursing -- Periodicals; Critical Illness -- nursing -- Periodicals; Intensive Care -- Periodicals; Nursing Care -- Periodicals; Intensive care nursing; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.028
• DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2016.04.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-3397

Abstract

Summary: Objectives: To assess moral distress intensity and frequency in adult/paediatric nurses in critical care and non-critical care units; and explore relationships of nurse characteristics and moral distress with intention to leave. Methods/setting: A descriptive, correlational design was used to administer an online survey using the Moral Distress Scale to nurses across multiple settings. Main outcome measures: Intensity and frequency of moral distress and intention to leave current position. Results: The survey response rate was 43% ( n = 426/1000). Critical care nurses had the highest levels of moral distress intensity and frequency, compared to non-critical care specialties ( M = 2.5 ± 0.19, p = 0.005 for intensity and M = 1.6 ± 0.11, p < 0.001 for frequency). Moral distress frequency showed a positive relationship with intention to leave a position of employment. Each unit increase in moral distress frequency doubled the odds of intention to leave when adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity and specialty area ( p = 0.003). Hispanic nurses had significantly higher levels of moral distress intensity ( p = 0.01). Conclusion: Moral distress is a complex phenomenon requiring further study, particularly with regard to the role of ethnic and cultural differences on perceptions of moral distress.