Ethical challenges of novice nurses in clinical practice: Iranian perspective

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to identify the ethical challenges of novice nurses in the first year of clinical practice. Background Novice nurses experience a lot of ethical complications in the clinical workplace, especially in the first year of clinical practice. These ethical challenges are scarcely studied. Methods Current research was a descriptive qualitative study conducted on twelve novice nurses in educational hospitals affiliated to Arak University of Medical Sciences (from August to December 2018)in Iran. Data were collected through semi‐structured in‐depth interviews, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data were analysed using content analysis. Results A total of 12 nurses participated, the majority of whom were female (8; 66.6%), and their average age was 23.6 years. Findings of this study revealed four main themes: patient: the forgotten part, exposure to inequalities, inattention to professional ethics and facing a state of quandary. Several sub‐themes also appeared in this study. Conclusion These findings can reveal a clear picture of the ethical challenges of novice nurses in Iran. They can be used as a guidance for managers, authorities and nursing stakeholders in order to protect and support these nurses. Further research on each concept is suggested. Implications for nursing and health policy These findings can be used to inform nursing education, research, management and clinical practice. Meanwhile, the results of this study may be used to formulate a strategy for training nursing managers in order to protect and support the next generation of nurses.

Nurses’ ethical challenges caring for people with COVID-19: A qualitative study

“…The study results showed that the major ethical challenges encountered by nurses came from patients, inequality, professional ethics, and job competency. This result shares some similarities with Naseri-Salahshour and Sajadi’s 20 research, which may be attributed to the nature of nursing work itself.…”

“…Due to the differences in professional background, knowledge, and work expertise, different roles were formed between doctors and nurses. 20 Nurses expected doctors to be proficient and responsible, to support, and to respect nurses and their work. However, interviewees mentioned that some doctors expected nurses to assume some of the doctors’ responsibilities, such as checking on patients’ condition by pulmonary auscultation and bedside blood gas analysis, making nurses feel unequal in status and that their role was not respected: Doctors should examine and observe the patients’ condition personally, but in order to reduce the risk of infection, some of them asked nurses to view the patients’ monitoring parameters through video instead of entering the ward.…”

Defining ethical challenge(s) in healthcare research: a rapid review

“…Of the 72 included records, 53 were empirical studies [ 34 – 86 ], 10 non-systematic reviews [ 87 – 96 ], 7 systematic reviews [ 12 – 14 , 97 – 100 ], 1 systematic review protocol [ 101 ], and 1 non-systematic review protocol [ 102 ]. Of the 53 empirical studies, 42 (79%) were qualitative studies [ 34 – 36 , 38 – 44 , 47 , 48 , 50 – 52 , 54 – 58 , 60 , 62 – 67 , 69 , 71 – 77 , 79 – 81 , 83 – 86 ], 6 (12%) used a mixed methods approach [ 45 , 46 , 53 , 59 , 61 , 68 ], and 5 (10%) were quantitative [ 37 , 49 , 70 , 78 , 82 ]. 7/56 empirical studies, all qualitative interview studies, recruited participants internationally with no specific location stated [ 40 , 54 , 55 , 58 , 60 , 63 , 73 ].…”

Trust crisis: New frontline nurse managers’ ethical experience in their units

“…The outline of the interview was developed in accordance with relevant literature (Ganz & Berkovitz, 2012; Ganz et al, 2015; Haahr et al, 2020; Naseri‐Salahshour & Sajadi, 2020) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics for Nurses (ICN, 2020). Advice from two nursing specialists, three physicians, and one ethics expert was taken into consideration.…”

“…Ethical dilemmas are described as situations that cannot be solved; decisions made between two choices may be morally plausible, but are equally problematic due to the circumstances (Ejder Apay et al, 2020). There has been quantitative research on ethical conflicts faced by NMs and clinical nurses (Ganz & Berkovitz, 2012; Ganz et al, 2015), and qualitative research on ethical challenges faced by new nurses as well (Naseri‐Salahshour & Sajadi, 2020). However, few studies have taken a qualitative approach on the topic of ethical experiences of NNMs when working in units.…”