The Effect of Nurses’ Ethical Sensitivity on Organizational Silence in the COVID-19 Outbreak

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of ethical sensitivity on nurses' organizational silence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method:The cross-sectional design study was conducted with 384 nurses who were selected by non-probability random sampling and working in different healthcare institutions in Turkey in June-August 2020. It was used an online survey including the Nurse socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, Ethical Sensitivity Scale and the Organizational Silence Scale. Data were analyzed with descriptive, correlation, and linear regression analysis using SPSS 21 package program. Results: It was determined that ethical sensitivity significantly and positively affected general organizational silence (β=.235; p<.001). It had a significant and positive effect (β=.323; p<.001; β=.324; p<.001) on acquiescent and prosocial silence sub-dimensions, while it had significant and negative effect (β= -.269; p<.001) on defensive silence sub-dimension. Conclusion:In the study, ethical sensitivity was found to have a significant impact on organizational silence. It is recommended that nurse managers contribute to the development of ethical sensitivity in nurses.