Evaluating the moral courage of nurses and its relationship with their caring behaviors

Abstract

Background and Aim: Nurses need ethical courage to make correct decisions in various clinical situations and to engage in proper care behaviors based on ethical principles. In this regard, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between ethical courage and care behaviors of nurses in the year 2023. Method In this cross-sectional study, 146 nurses employed in educational hospitals in the city of Hamadan were selected using stratified sampling method. Data collection instruments included: a checklist of demographic characteristics, Sekerka and colleagues' Ethical Courage Questionnaire, and the Caregiver Behavior Inventory (CDI-25) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 software and descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, and ANOVA. Findings: The results showed that the majority of participating nurses were female (67.1%) and had a bachelor's degree (89%). The mean ± standard deviation of ethical courage and nurses' care behaviors were 9.26 ± 3.15 and 13.254 ± 101.164, respectively. Also, there was a significant and positive correlation between ethical courage and nurses' care behaviors (P < 0.001, r = 0.264). Conclusion Considering the direct relationship between ethical courage and care behaviors, it is recommended that relevant managers strive to promote ethical courage among all nurses by supporting and encouraging those who demonstrate ethical courage, thus playing an influential role in achieving a higher level of desired care behaviors.