Courage and nursing practice: A theoretical analysis

Abstract

This article aims to deepen the understanding of courage through a theoretical analysis of classical philosophers' work and a review of published and unpublished empirical research on courage in nursing. The authors sought answers to questions regarding how courage is understood from a philosophical viewpoint and how it is expressed in nursing actions. Four aspects were identified as relevant to a deeper understanding of courage in nursing practice: courage as an ontological concept, a moral virtue, a property of an ethical act, and a creative capacity. The literature review shed light on the complexity of the concept of courage and revealed some lack of clarity in its use. Consequently, if courage is to be used consciously to influence nurses' ethical actions it seems important to recognize its specific features. The results suggest it is imperative to foster courage among nurses and student nurses to prepare them for ethical, creative action and further the development of professional nursing practices.

6Cs and ten commitments: nurses’ understanding and use of courage

“…No primary research UK studies were found but there were three from outside the UK. Two of them were European (Swedish and Danish), namely Lindh et al (2010), who conducted a hermeneutical enquiry into moral strength, and Thorup et al (2012), whose interpretative study explored courage specific to vulnerability, suffering and ethics. The third paper, a hermeneutic research study exploring courage in practice, originated in New Zealand (Spence 2004) and suggests that courage in practice is essential.…”

“…The review indicates that courage is seldom mentioned in nursing literature, which supports the observations of Spence (2004) and Murray (2010). Lindh et al (2010) state that, despite courage being identified as a fundamental component of nursing (Spence 2004, Cummings andBennett 2012), there is a lack of knowledge about nurses' courage in practice. Writers such as Gallagher (2010), Lachman (2010), LaSala and Bjarnason (2010), Lindh et al (2010) and Thorup et al (2012) identify factors that affect the development of courage.…”

“…Writers such as Gallagher (2010), Lachman (2010), LaSala and Bjarnason (2010), Lindh et al (2010) and Thorup et al (2012) identify factors that affect the development of courage. These include constraints within organisational cultures (Gallagher 2010), nurses' characteristics such as resilience (Lindh et al 2010), experience and intuition in providing courageous care (Thorup et al 2012), and supportive working environments (LaSala and Bjarnason 2010).…”

An exploration of the 6Cs as a set of values for nursing practice

“…(Cummings and Bennett, 2012: 13) Courage has been recognised as a valuable human character trait since at least Aristotle's time . Aristotle considered courage to be a moral virtue; he defined courage as the ability to respond appropriately to fear (Lindh et al, 2010). Courage is important in nursing practice, for example, in relation to safeguarding people who are vulnerable, raising concerns about standards of care or challenging accepted practices, and to implement change.…”

“…Sellman (2011) argued that within today's healthcare system, where nurses must deliver safe and competent care within constrained resources, nurses need to be courageous and remain firm to their values. Lindh et al (2010) analysed courage and nursing practice and argued for the need to foster courage in nurses so they can act ethically and creatively, make changes, face challenges and motivate others through role modelling. In a different perspective of the need for courage, Thorup et al (2011) identified that nurses need the courage to help patients face their own suffering and vulnerability and to argue for and provide professional care.…”