Moral Distress Experienced by Registered Nurses in Georgia and Its Impact on Nurse Turnover
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Authors
Sauls, Denise H.
Issue Date
2012-04-04
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Nursing , Moral Distress , Georgia , Turnover
Alternative Title
Abstract
Nurses are vulnerable to moral distress because of the inherent moral nature of nursing and because of their position as patient advocates. Previous research suggests moral distress is a reason for nurses leaving their positions and even the profession itself.
This mixed method study examined moral distress experienced by registered nurses (RNs) working in multiple settings of health care in Georgia and its effects on nurse turnover through an anonymous online survey. Hamric’s (2010) nurse questionnaire of the Moral Distress Scale- Revised (MDS-R) was used to measure the frequency and intensity of clinical situations that result in moral distress. Results revealed that the situation with the highest mean frequency score involved carrying out physicians’ orders for what participants perceived as unnecessary tests and treatments. The situation with the highest mean intensity score involved working with levels of nurse or other care provider staffing considered by the participants as unsafe.
An MDS-R overall composite score was calculated which measured total moral distress frequency and intensity for each participant. The mean composite score for the sample was 83.00 (SD = 46.78). Statistical analysis revealed there was a significant difference in moral distress levels between RNs who left a position or considered leaving a position (but stayed), and RNs who neither considered nor left a position. Thematic analysis was used to analyze participants’ responses from the open-ended question on the (MDS-R). Among the participants in this study, 27.9% left a position due to moral distress, 31.8% considered quitting but did not leave, and 13.2% are considering leaving their current position because of moral distress with the way patient care is handled at their institution.
Description
Citation
Publisher
Valdosta State University
License
Copyright protected. Unauthorized reproduction or use beyond the exceptions granted by the Fair Use clause of U.S. Copyright law may violate federal law.