Moral Courage in Practice: Implications for Patient Safety

Moral sensitivity, moral distress, and moral courage among baccalaureate Filipino nursing students

“…On the other hand, nursing literature on moral courage have documented that many nurses may be reluctant to stand up and speak out when faced with known risks to patients as well as to themselves. [15][16][17][18][19] Stress, anxiety, fear of reprimand, isolation from colleagues, and threats to employment 19 are some of the negative consequences that can be brought about by morally courageous behavior. These consequences combined with other barriers such as organizational culture, lack of concern by colleagues who do not have the moral courage to take action, and preference for redefining unethical actions as acceptable can lead a nurse to avoid exhibiting moral courage.…”

“…When nurses lack moral courage, their commitment to the patients under their care is affected, leading to moral distress and even possible unethical behavior. 9,19 While moral distress, moral sensitivity, and moral courage have been addressed in previous research among registered nurses, [15][16][17] there is paucity of studies on these topics among nursing students. [20][21][22][23] Ethical dilemmas and moral distress are not only experienced by practicing nurses but are also prevalent among nursing students.…”

Concept analysis of moral courage in nursing: A hybrid model

“…Through moral courage, the nurse can sustain doing human care measures and resist against doing immoral things. 4,8 The presence of several roles for the nurses and dominance of ethical guidelines in the profession reveals the dire necessity of attention to the moral courage. 9 Moral courage helps nurses to overcome many obstacles like fear and as a result can advocate patient in a good manner.…”

“…Moral courage is the ability to stand on to do the right thing based on moral values when compared with known risks to face. 8 Kidder believes that without moral courage, brightest virtues rust from lack of use and with it, a more ethical world is built piece by piece. 8…”

When Bullying Affects Patient Safety

“…Examples of undermining individuals at work include humiliating, intimidating, victimizing, excluding, belittling, and assigning them to impossible tasks . A study of perioperative RNs practicing in the midwestern United States found that RN circulators are more concerned about aggression from other nurses than from other professionals (eg, surgeons, physician assistants) . Perioperative nurses must develop strong personalities to be able to assert themselves in the event of conflict.…”