The Impact Of Moral Distress On Nurses

4.2.4 Impacts of moral distress on critical care nurses
Moral distress has been a topic of interest to many nursing researchers due to the consequences that it poses, however few studies have examined the impacts of moral distress on nurses. By utilizing existing research on the topic, Corley (2002) proposed a theory of moral distress that encompassed its negative effects. Corley (2002) theorized that moral distress negatively affects nurses, patients and organizations. When subjected to moral distress, nurses can suffer, feel burnt-out, resign from positions, and/or leave the profession (Corley, 2002). As a result of their moral distress, nurses can distance themselves from patients and cease to advocate for them, resulting in suboptimal patient
The consequences reported from moral distress on nurses include suffering, disappointment, sadness, helplessness, physical exhaustion, frustration, psychological exhaustion, anger, distress and depression. In addition, nurses described feelings of decreased job satisfaction and considered leaving their positions. Nurses repeatedly described providing a lower standard of care. However, 62% of the participants would not have changed their actions if faced with a similar situation. The authors advise that moral distress can be minimized, but not eliminated, and therefore nurses must learn from their previous experiences and take better care of themselves. Nurses’ previous experiences help them to be stronger and act better in future morally distressful situations. Findings also suggest that the experience of moral distress has the possibility to cause negative consequences not only on the nurse, but also on patient
Some felt that they were short-tempered, grouchy, irritable, or ill with their family after a bad day at work. Others had a decreased level of patience with their family. One nurse felt that her life was greatly affected. Distress made her feel ‘‘disgusted’’ with her job. One nurse feels that the situations experienced at work can make one question one’s own beliefs and give new perspectives . Work performance is also felt to be negatively affected by distress. Some nurses experience burnout and lose focus of the task at hand. Others feel that they do not have enough time to complete tasks and have less time to care for the families. Others feel like they have a ‘‘short fuse’’ and less patience with the job; others feel ineffective, wondering why time is wasted treating someone who refuses care when others need help. Some nurses have difficulty concentrating and cry about situations, but then they put it behind them and look ahead. Overall moral distress has negative effects on critical care nurses personal and professional life. However, this study has a small sample size and lack of return of the questionnaires which introduce study bias (Polit and Beck,