Factors associated with the moral courage of nurses in China: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Aim The purpose of this study was to assess the level of moral courage among nurses in China, and to explore related influential factors, to help nursing managers take measures to improve nurses' moral courage. Design A cross‐sectional study. Methods The data adopted a convenient sampling method. From September to December 2021, 583 nurses from five hospitals in Fujian Province completed the Chinese version of the Nurses' Moral Courage Scale (NMCS). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi‐square test, T‐test, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results The Chinese nurses perceived themselves, on average, as morally courageous. The mean NMCS score was 3.64 ± 0.692. The six factors showed statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) with moral courage. Regression analysis showed that the main factors influencing nurses' moral courage were active learning of ethics knowledge and nursing was a career goal. Conclusion This study provides the self‐evaluation level and related influencing factors of Chinese nurses' moral courage. There is no doubt that nurses still need strong moral courage to face unknown ethical problems and challenges in the future. Nursing managers should pay attention to the cultivation of nurses' moral courage, using various forms of educational activities to help nurses alleviate moral problems and improve their moral courage, to maintain patients' access to high‐quality nursing.

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

“…The results indicated that the level of ethical courage among nurses was at a high level. Similar to the ndings of the present study, studies conducted by Huang et al, Luo et al, and Zheng et al also reported high levels of ethical courage (17)(18)(19). The results of the study by Hakimi et al were also consistent with the present study (20).…”

Effectiveness of Individual-Based Strategies to Reduce Nurse Burnout: An Umbrella Review

“…Additionally, nurses with higher levels of professional competence reported stronger relationships with their colleagues, likely because they are more likely to be seen as competent and trustworthy [48]. Many research studies have indicated that good interpersonal relationships are an important factor in combating burnout [49,50]. Terefore, higher professional competence can positively contribute to good interpersonal relationships and self-confdence at work, which can then reduce stress and burnout.…”