Moral distress, ethical climate and intent to turnover

This study focused on moral and ethical issues experienced by critical care nurses (CCN) and their impact on retention of nursing staff. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between the levels of moral distress experienced by CCNs and the likelihood of a nurse leaving a position (intent to turnover), as well as moderating effects of these nurses’ perceptions of theethical climate of the work environment on intent to turnover. Moral distress is generally defined as the experience of knowing the right thing to do, but being constrained pursuing the right course of action. Moral distress has been anecdotally associated with professional burnout and leaving a nursing position or the profession itself. Ethical climate is the perception of practicesand conditions within the work environment that facilitate the discussion and resolution of difficult patient care issues. Intent to turnover is a variable which measures an individual’s likelihood of leaving a job.