Ethical problems in nursing management – a cross-sectional survey about solving problems

Abstract

Background Nurse managers encounter a wide range of ethical problems related to patients, staff, the organisation and themselves. However, little is known about the methods they use to try to solve these problems. In this study, our goal is to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the ethical problems encountered by nurse managers, the frequency of use and usefulness of different methods to solve these problems, and the background factors associated with the use of the methods. Methods A cross-sectional survey study was conducted in November 2014–May 2015 in Finland. The data were collected from nurse managers in strategic, middle and ward management ( n = 214) using a questionnaire developed for this study. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: socio-demographic background factors, frequency and difficulty of ethical problems in nursing management, frequency of use and usefulness of the methods in solving ethical problems, and work-related background factors. Results Discussions with nurses was the most frequently used method, used by 94% of the nurse managers either often or always in the case of ethical problems, followed by the use of personal values (74%) and discussions with manager colleagues (70%). However, almost all methods in the different groups – discussion and deliberation, use of outside experts, written instructions and ethical principles, acts and degrees as well as work arrangements – were considered somewhat or very useful by more than half of the respondents. The use of outside experts was the least used and the least useful method. Conclusions When solving ethical problems, nurse managers use most frequently the same methods as a few decades ago. A more diverse range of methods would be helpful in ethical problem-solving. The use of outside experts, ethics literature and codes of ethics should be combined with ethical reasoning and decision-making to get new dimensions and outside knowledge.

Caring behaviors, moral sensitivity, and emotional intelligence in intensive care nurses: A descriptive study

“…The mean age of the nurses was 29.61 ± 6.88 (20-52) years; 92.3% were female, 63.5% were married, and 54.5% had a bachelor's degree. Their working duration was 6.19 ± 5.87 (1-29) years, their weekly working duration was 42.93 ± 3.68 (40-56) hours, and the number of patients they provided care to was 4.79 ± 3.71 (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18).…”

“…6 When nurses encounter ethical dilemmas during care practice, they need to use a systematic approach towards knowing, analyzing, and solving these dilemmas and find solutions under the guidance of universal ethical values and principles. 7 Since emotions are as important as moral sensitivity in finding solutions and making decisions, emotional intelligence is also crucial.…”

Role and application of self‐awareness in managerial practice: A qualitative study of nurse managers

“…Self‐awareness emerged as an essential competency for nurse managers as it enabled them to improve their managerial capabilities for handling complex managerial issues. Studies have noted that ethical and practical management issues such as personal and interpersonal conflicts and lack of appreciation affect nurse managers’ managerial abilities (Aitamaa et al., 2016, 2019). Therefore, the current and previous research iterates that nurse managers can focus on becoming more aware of their competencies to handle ethical and moral issues and use this awareness to direct and discern actions to combat these issues (Henriksen, 2016; Younas et al., 2020).…”

The importance of ethical codes in nursing care

“…However, ethical issues in the nursing profession are KontAKt / Journal of nursing and social sciences related to health and illness n u r s I n g Toumová et al / KONTAKT 84 not only related to the direct provision of care to patients and the possible occurrence of ethical dilemmas. They are also associated with leading nursing teams and the approach to oneself as a caregiver and human entity (Aitamaa et al, 2019). In the results of their cross-sectional study, Aitamaa et al (2019) point out that only 52% of respondents (N = 214) working at the level of the lower, middle, and strategic management agree that their organization solves unethical situations in an appropriate way.…”

“…They are also associated with leading nursing teams and the approach to oneself as a caregiver and human entity (Aitamaa et al, 2019). In the results of their cross-sectional study, Aitamaa et al (2019) point out that only 52% of respondents (N = 214) working at the level of the lower, middle, and strategic management agree that their organization solves unethical situations in an appropriate way. Only 32% of respondents agreed that their organization had functional guidelines for dealing with such situations.…”