Guilt and nursing practice: implications for nurse education and the climate of care.
This paper considers the influence of guilt within nursing practice. The author draws on her experience as a nurse tutor to show how guilt has implications for the well-being of both nurses and patients. It is suggested that nurses' experience of guilt, and the fear that they may be considered guilty, are indicative of a moral climate that rests predominantly upon rules. While rules fulfil a requirement for professional and organizational accountability, they need not be perceived as statements about the trustworthiness of nurses, or as a disciplinary threat. Nurses need to feel trusted to bring judgement to their practice.
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D004506:Education, Nursing; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008318:Malpractice; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011361:Professional Competence