A study of the situations, features, and coping mechanisms experienced by Irish psychiatric nurses experiencing moral distress.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate moral distress in Irish psychiatric nurses.


METHODS
A qualitative descriptive methodology was used.


RESULTS
The study confirmed the presence of moral distress and the situations that gave rise to moral distress within psychiatric nurses working in acute care settings.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that while multidisciplinary teams appear to function well on the surface, situations that give rise to moral distress are not always acknowledged or dealt with effectively. Furthermore, unresolved moral conflict impacts upon the quality of clinical decision-making by not allowing open and transparent discussions that allow clinicians the opportunity to address their concerns adequately.
Deady
Rick
R
Nursing Ethics, University College Cork, College of Medicine and Health, Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, Cork, Ireland. r.deady@ucc.ie
McCarthy
Joan
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003657:Decision Making; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D028681:Moral Obligations; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence