Ethical Conscience and Ethical Sensitivity and their Relationship with Ethical Distress in Nurses Working in Educational Hospitals affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Science

Abstract

‏Abstract: Introduction: Work ethics and moral sensitivity are the prerequisites of ‎nursing cares. There is little information about work ethics, moral sensitivity, ‎and their relationship with moral distress in Iranian nurses; therefore, the aim ‎of this study was to determine the work ethics and moral sensitivity and their ‎relationship with moral distress in nurses working at teaching and treatment ‎centers of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. ‎Methods:‎‏ ‏This was a descriptive-correlational study conducted at teaching and ‎treatment hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. 280 nurses ‎participated in the study by non-probability stratified sampling. Data were ‎collected using work ethics, moral sensitivity and moral distress questionnaires ‎and analyzed by SPSS.‎ Results: The nurses participated in the study had high ethics, moral sensitivity ‎and moral distress. Also, there was a significant and positive relationship ‎between ethics, moral sensitivity and moral distress in nurses. ‎Conclusion: High level of moral sensitivity and ethics in nurses can be used in ‎planning better cares. High level of moral distress in nurses with high levels of ‎ethics and moral sensitivity needs intervention for preventing from trauma in ‎nurses