The relationship between moral sensitivity and caring behavior among nurses in iran during COVID-19 pandemic

The relationship between ethical sensitivity, caring behavior and quality of care in nurses: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

In their daily practice, nurses face difficult ethical challenges. To ensure the provision of humane care, it is imperative for nurses to be sensitive to ethical dilemmas. The main objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between ethical sensitivity, caring behavior, and the overall quality of care that is being delivered by nurses.

METHODS

In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we conducted a thorough search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases to ensure a comprehensive review. Our research focused on analyzing studies that met the inclusion criteria, which included publications from the year 2000 up until the end of August 2024. These studies were selected based on their investigation of the relationship between ethical sensitivity, caring behavior, and the quality of care provided by nurses. The exclusion criteria for this study included not having access to full-text articles, articles written in languages other than Persian and English, protocol studies, case studies, brief reports, reviews, and qualitative studies. The assessment of quality was performed using the JBI tool.

RESULTS

Out of the 2957 records that were retrieved, only 11 studies were ultimately selected and included in this review. Among these included studies, 6 specifically focused on examining the correlation between ethical sensitivity and caring behavior displayed by nurses, while the remaining 5 studies focused on exploring the relationship between ethical sensitivity and the quality of care in nurses. The results of this study discovered that ethical sensitivity has the potential to significantly influence the caring behavior and quality of care provided by nurses.

CONCLUSION

The quality of nursing care can be influenced by ethical sensitivity; therefore, it is advisable to arrange regular training programs in clinical settings to educate nurses on ethical principles, with the goal of fostering their ethical sensitivity.

The level of moral sensitivity among nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Nurses, the largest frontline healthcare group in the world, experience a high incidence of moral distress. Enhancing moral sensitivity (MS) can effectively alleviate this distress. However, MS levels among nurses have not been clearly defined. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of MS among nurses and provide evidence-based insights to improve their moral practices.

METHODS

This review searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, Medline, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, Chinese Biomedical Database, Chinese Medical Journal Full Text Database, Google Scholar, and OpenGrey, from inception to December 31, 2024. Two reviewers (Ting Zhao and Shi Chen) independently screened the literature and extracted data. Their quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Tool. Data were analyzed using Stata software (version 17.0) to synthesize the mean scores of the moral sensitivity questionnaire (MSQ). Subgroup and meta-regression analysis were performed to identify the sources of heterogeneity, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

A total of 99 studies involving 29,387 nurses were included. The pooled mean score for MS was 4.49 [95% CI (4.29, 4.70)], indicating a moderate level. Meta-regression revealed the assessment instrument, country, and department as potential sources of heterogeneity. The mean scores by country were as follows: China (5.22), Korea (4.82), Iran (4.44), and Turkey (3.28). The scores for the different assessment instruments varied, with the MSQ-revised version (5.46) having the highest scores.

CONCLUSION

Nurses demonstrated moderate MS levels, indicating opportunities for further improvement. This review offers useful insights for nurse managers and educators in shaping strategies to improve moral training.

Moral sensitivity in Iranian nurses: insights from a nationwide meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Moral sensitivity is essential for nurses to recognize and appropriately respond to ethical issues, understanding the impact of their actions on patient well-being. It improves care quality, ethical decision-making, and equips nurses with skills to handle moral dilemmas in clinical settings. Various studies in Iran have reported different results. Accordingly, this study was conducted to estimate the pooled standardized moral sensitivity score among Iranian nurses.

METHODS

A systematic search of national and international databases was conducted up until June 2023, yielding 563 articles. After screening by two independent researchers, 52 articles with a total sample size of 11,621 participants were included in the analysis. Any discrepancies were resolved through discussion. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² index. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the language of the articles, sample size, and country region. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between the moral sensitivity score and variables such as age, year of publication, and sample size. All analyses were performed using Stata software, version 17.

RESULTS

The pooled moral sensitivity score was 69% (95% CI: 66-72, I2 = 94.03%). The highest overall ethical sensitivity score was observed in region 5 of the country (73.6%, 95% CI: 67-80.1), in articles published in Farsi (70.2%, 95% CI: 65.8-74.7), and in articles with a sample size of less than 200 participants (70%, 95% CI: 66.3-73.6). No significant relationship was found between the overall ethical sensitivity score and variables such as age, year of publication, or sample size. Publication bias was significant (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis indicates a moderate level of moral sensitivity among Iranian nurses. While regional and study-related differences were observed, no significant relationship was found between the moral sensitivity score and variables like age, year of publication, or sample size. Publication bias suggests the need for more representative studies to fully understand the factors influencing moral sensitivity in nursing.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis, and not a clinical trial.

The Lived Experience of Newly Graduated Nurses' Transition to Practice: A Phenomenology Study

Reflection papers, written by new graduate nurses, at the completion of their 1-year residency program, were qualitatively analyzed. Separating the study population identified academic and/or clinical experiences that were impacted by the pandemic. These findings indicate variances in their transition to practice, which may necessitate an alteration of the content or timing of nurse residency programs.

Clinical internship environment and caring behaviours among nursing students: A moderated mediation model

BACKGROUND

Caring behaviour is critical for nursing quality, and the clinical internship environment is a crucial setting for preparing nursing students for caring behaviours. Evidence about how to develop nursing students' caring behaviour in the clinical environment is still emerging. However, the mechanism between the clinical internship environment and caring behaviour remains unclear, especially the mediating role of moral sensitivity and the moderating effect of self-efficacy.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of moral sensitivity and the moderating function of self-efficacy on the association between the clinical internship environment and caring behaviours.

RESEARCH DESIGN

A cross-sectional design used acceptable validity scales. The hypothesised moderated mediation model was tested in the SPSS PROCESS macro.

PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT

This survey collected data from 504 nursing students in an internship at a teaching hospital in Changsha, China.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

This study was pre-approved by the ethics committee of the medical school (No. E2022210). Informed consent was obtained from all students.

RESULTS

The clinical internship environment (B = 0.450, 95% CI = [0.371, 0.530]) and moral sensitivity (B = 1.352, 95% CI = [1.090, 1.615]) had positive direct effects on nursing students' caring behaviours. Clinical internship environment also indirectly influenced students' caring behaviours via moral sensitivity (B = 0.161, 95% CI = [0.115, 0.206]). In addition, self-efficacy played a moderating role between the clinical internship environment and caring behaviours (B = 0.019, 95% CI = [0.007, 0.031]), as well as the relationship between the clinical internship environment and moral sensitivity (B = 0.006, 95% CI = [0.003, 0.010]).

CONCLUSION

Moral sensitivity mediates the effect of the clinical internship environment on caring behaviour, and self-efficacy strengthens both direct and indirect effects. This study emphasises the importance of self-efficacy in developing moral sensitivity and caring behaviours in nursing students.

Investigating the relationship between moral courage and caregiving behaviours among nurses working in COVID-19 wards in Iran

AIM

To examine the correlation between moral courage and caregiving behaviour among nurses who are employed in the COVID-19 ward in Iran.

DESIGN

This study is a descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional research conducted in 2021 in the city of Tehran, Iran.

METHODS

A total of 270 nurses employed in COVID-19 wards, who had been working in these wards for at least 1 month, were recruited from XXX hospitals and XXX Hospital. Data collection was conducted from September to November 2021. The data collection tools included a demographic information form, the Caring Dimension Inventory (CDI-25), and the Professional Moral Courage Scale (PMC). The designed questionnaire links were provided to the participants virtually through the Persian platform 'Pars Line' and via WhatsApp. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to examine the relationship between moral courage and care behaviour.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the mean of caring behaviour between the age groups (<30 and >40 years old), and the work experience groups (<5 years and >15 years) (p < 0.05). Ethical values also varied significantly between certain age and experience groups (p < 0.05), but no significant differences were found in ethical behaviour across most ages (30-40 years) and work experience categories (>10 years) (p > 0.05). The level of moral courage among the nurses was higher than the median score of the instrument (87.31 ± 10.37). Among the dimensions of moral courage, the highest score was related to the dimension of ethical factors (17.64 ± 2.64), and the lowest score was related to the dimension of multiple values (17.26 ± 2.78). The level of caring behaviours among the nurses was lower than the median score of the instrument (46.11 ± 10.84). Among the dimensions of caring behaviours, the highest score was related to physical-technical behaviours (19.22 ± 5.27), and the lowest score was related to professional behaviours (1.35 ± 0.67). Based on the analysis, moral courage had a weak and inverse correlation with caring behaviours among nurses. The higher moral courage does not necessarily result in improved caregiving behaviours, emphasizing the need for further research to explore and address this relationship.

PATIENT

No Patient or Public Contribution.

Nurse's Spiritual Sensitivity Scale (NSSS): A Validity and Reliability Study in Turkey

Nurses carry out spiritual care based on ethical principles, and they must have spiritual sensitivity to meet spiritual care needs. Seen from this angle, it is important to determine nurse's spiritual sensitivity in order to meet patient's spiritual care needs, to increase patient-nurse communication and to adopt a holistic approach to care. For this reason, the aim of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Turkish Nurse's Spiritual Sensitivity Scale. In the present study, a sample size of 207 nurses was reached in the data collection stage. The Turkish Nurse's Spiritual Sensitivity Scale (NSSS) is a Likert-type scale consisting of 20 items and a single factor. There are no reverse-scored statements on the scale. A score of zero shows no spiritual sensitivity, and four shows higher spiritual sensitivity. The minimum score on the scale is zero, and the maximum score is 80. It was seen in this study that the Nurse's Spiritual Sensitivity Scale is a valid and reliable measurement instrument for a Turkish sample. This scale can be used by professionals to determine the spiritual sensitivity of Turkish nurses.

The patients' lived experiences with equitable nursing care

BACKGROUND

Equitable care is a fundamental value in the nursing profession. Healthcare workers have both a moral and professional duty to ensure that they do not discriminate.

AIM

This study aimed to explore how patients perceive equitable nursing care.

RESEARCH DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND RESEARCH CONTEXT

This descriptive phenomenological qualitative research study used purposeful sampling to select 17 patients from various departments of a general hospital in southern Iran. The participants were then interviewed using a semi-structured in-depth interview format, which aimed to delve into their experiences with equitable nursing care. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method and MAXQDA20 software.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Oral and written information about the study was provided before the participants gave their written consent. The transcribed interviews were de-identified. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Jiroft University of Medical Sciences.

FINDINGS

The data analysis of the study identified three main themes and six subthemes that were related to the experiences of patients with equitable nursing care. The first theme, equitable care, encompassed subthemes such as nurses' dedicated efforts to facilitate patient recovery and adherence to ethical behavior. The second theme, unconscious causes of inequitable nursing care, included subthemes such as unintentional discrimination stemming from organizational constraints and unconscious biases resulting from a lack of knowledge and skills. The third theme, discriminatory care, comprised subthemes such as deliberate discrimination based on personal traits and selective discrimination.

CONCLUSION

The study findings indicate that achieving equitable nursing care requires a multifaceted approach. This includes effective hospital management, organizational reforms, and regulatory enhancements. Additionally, it is crucial to pay close attention to the needs of patients, enhance nurses' theoretical and practical skills in providing equitable care, fostering a culture of equality within healthcare settings, and consider the personality dimensions and moral characteristics of nurses.

Missed nursing care and its relationship with nurses' moral sensitivity: a descriptive-analytical study

BACKGROUND

Missed care rates are an indicator of healthcare quality. Missed nursing care can reduce patient safety and lead to adverse events. Moral sensitivity enables nurses to interpret and respond to clients' needs according to ethical principles. Despite the importance of moral sensitivity and its role in the quality of care, the relationship between nurses' moral sensitivity and missed nursing care has not been extensively studied. This raises the question of whether there is an association between nurses' moral sensitivity and missed care. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between nurses' moral sensitivity and missed nursing care in the medical and surgical departments of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia, Iran.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022, on 202 nurses working in the medical and surgical departments of Imam Khomeini Medical Education Center, Urmia, Iran. Stratified random sampling was used to select the participants. A questionnaire on demographic characteristics, Kalisch's missed care questionnaire, and Lutzen's moral sensitivity questionnaire were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation test and linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Most participants (52.97%) showed moderate moral sensitivity. Nurses' mean moral sensitivity and total missed care scores were 149.07 ± 21.60 and 59.45 ± 4.87, respectively. Pearson correlation test showed no significant correlation between moral sensitivity scores and the total missed care scores (r = 0.041, p = 0.152). However, in the regression analysis, moral sensitivity (β = 0.213, p < 0.001), age (β = 0.131, p < 0.001), working in rotating shifts (β = 0.183, p < 0.001), monthly income (β = 0.079, p = 0.004), work experience (β = 0.030, p = 0.010), and monthly work hours (β = 0.247, p = 0.010) influenced missed care. Approximately, 0.98% of the variance in the missed care was explained by these variables.

CONCLUSION

Our nurses reported moderate levels of moral sensitivity and a concerning level of missed care. Missed care can have detrimental effects on patient safety. Therefore, nursing managers must address this issue promptly.

Moral sensitivity and caring behavior in nursing interns: the mediating role of empathy

Background

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between moral sensitivity, empathy, and caring behaviors and to explore the mediating effect of empathy on moral sensitivity and caring behaviors of nursing interns.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to September 2022 in which 261 nursing interns from two Grade 3A Hospitals in Xi'an participated. The questionnaires used in the survey include the General Information Questionnaire (GIQ), the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire-Revised Version translated into Chinese (MSQ R-CV), the Chinese version of the Jefferson Empathy Scale (JSE), and the Chinese version of the Caring Behavior Inventory (C-CBI). The obtained data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the mediating effect of empathy was tested through structural equations.

Results

The overall mean of moral sensitivity of nursing interns in two Grade 3A Hospitals in Xi'an is 40.84 ± 8.73, the overall mean of empathy is 100.51 ± 21.56, and the overall mean of caring behavior is (113.81 ± 21.05). Statistical analysis showed that there is a positive correlation between moral sensitivity and caring behavior of nursing interns (r = 0.376, p < 0.01), between their empathy and moral sensitivity (r = 0.336, p < 0.01), and between their empathy and caring behavior (r = 0.394, p < 0.01). The empathy of nursing interns has a mediated effect on the relationship between moral sensitivity and caring behavior. The mediated effect value was 0.14, accounting for 31.82% of the total effect.

Conclusion

The moral sensitivity of nursing interns can have a direct impact on predicting the caring behavior and indirect influences their caring behaviors mediated by empathy, with the latter effect being mediated by empathy. Therefore, nursing educators and hospital administrators should adopt targeted interventions to improve the moral sensitivity and empathy of nursing interns, which can further prove to be beneficial in improving their caring behaviors, leading to enhanced quality of nursing care and reduced nurse-patient conflicts and finally to a stabilized nursing team.

The mediating role of moral reasoning in spiritual intelligence and caring behaviors in Iranian emergency nurses

Moral reasoning is necessary to the nursing profession. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mediating role of moral reasoning in spiritual intelligence and caring behaviors among Iranian emergency nurses. In this descriptive-analytical study structural equation modeling (SEM) is employed for the data analysis. the minimum required sample size determined by the number of parameters of the model was 18. Considering that 5 to 15 samples were required for each of the parameters; the required sample size was 272. Nurses working in the emergency department of all hospitals in Qom, Iran, were selected by convenience sampling. Demographic characteristics inventory, King's Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory, Crisham's Nursing Dilemma Test, and Wolf's Caring Behaviors Inventory used for data collection. SPSS (V20) and Mplus were used to analyze the data. The results showed that a significant direct relationship was observed between moral reasoning and caring behaviors. According to SEM results, direct and indirect effects were observed of spiritual intelligence on caring behavior It is therefore recommended managers and hospital officials pay meticulous attention to spiritual intelligence and the power of decision-making in nurses to improve their caring behaviors.

The relationship between teamwork, moral sensitivity, and missed nursing care in intensive care unit nurses

BACKGROUND

Teamwork, moral sensitivity, and missed nursing care are important healthcare challenges for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses and the existence of a relationship between these variables can be useful for developing better care improvement strategies. This study aimed to determine the relationship between teamwork, moral sensitivity, and missed nursing care in ICU nurses.

METHODS

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on a total of 200 ICU nurses working at teaching hospitals affiliated to Semnan and Shahroud Universities of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran in 2022. Sampling was conducted using the census method. Data collection was conducted using a demographic checklist, the TeamSTEPPS Team Perception Questionnaire (T-TPQ), Lützén Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire (L-MSQ), and Kalisch and Williams Missed Nursing Care (MISSCARE) Survey. The examination of the relationship between the three variables was conducted using Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The mean and standard deviation of teamwork, moral sensitivity, and missed nursing care was 3.47 ± 0.69, 64.19 ± 13.43, and 55.04 ± 34.10, respectively. The variable of teamwork had a significant positive relationship with moral sensitivity (p < .001) and a significant negative relationship with missed nursing care (p < .001). Teamwork was also a positive predictor of moral sensitivity (p < .001) and a negative predictor of missed nursing care (p < .001). The clinical experience of ICU nurses was a positive predictor of teamwork (p = .01) and a negative predictor of missed nursing care (p = .001). The age of ICU nurses was a positive predictor of moral sensitivity (p = .001) and a negative predictor of missed nursing care (p = .008).

CONCLUSION

The findings showed that a higher level of teamwork was associated with increased moral sensitivity and reduced missed nursing care among ICU nurses. Therefore, focusing on planning interventions on teamwork improvement can lead ICU nurses to improve moral sensitivity, lower missed nursing care, and promote the quality of patient care.

The Association between Caring Behavior and Death Anxiety among Iranian Nurses Working in Covid-19 Wards

Introduction

Nurses who are at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19 have faced problems such as anxiety and stress due to the high contagiousness of this disease and the challenges of providing services to infected patients. Death anxiety and the resulting fear following the Covid-19 pandemic can affect caring behaviors and the quality of nursing care services.

Objective

The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the association between caring behaviors and death anxiety among Iranian nurses working in COVID-19 wards.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 in Tehran. The participants consisted of 233 nurses who were purposively selected from university hospitals in Iran. Data collection tools included Demographic Information Form, Death Anxiety Scale, and Caring Dimension Inventory (CDI-25). Data analysis was done using SPSS (version 16).

Results

Most of the participants were female (79.4%), had less than 5 years of work experience (50.6%), and had bachelor's degree (88.8%). Based on the results, the level of death anxiety among nurses was moderate (7.05 ± 3.85) and their caring behavior was at optimal level (103.03 ± 13.15). Among the subscales of caring behavior, physical-technical behaviors with mean of 46.43 ± 6.20 got the highest score, and unnecessary behaviors with mean of 4.39 ± 0.73 got the lowest score compared to other subscales. Based on data analysis findings, caring behavior and its dimensions had no significant correlation with nurses' death anxiety (p = 0.111).

Conclusions

Our results showed that despite having a moderate level of anxiety, nurses try to provide good care behaviors to patients with covid-19. However, reducing nurses' anxiety can improve caring behaviors.

Level and predictors of caring behaviours of critical care nurses

BACKGROUND

Advanced technologies in intensive care units, including artificial intelligence and digitization, has implications for psycho-emotional aspects of caring in terms of communication, involvement, and holistic provision in a safe, effective, and efficient manner. Critical care nurses must maintain a balance between their technological and humanistic caring behaviours during the provision of individualized holistic patient care. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine level and predictors of caring behaviours among critical care nurses in two Arab countries.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was used to achieve the objective of this study, whereby a quantitative online questionnaire survey was administered to 210 adult intensive care unit nurses at two government hospitals in Sharjah (United Arab Emirates), and two university hospitals in Amman (Jordan). Based on G* Power analysis, 200 participants were adequate to run the analysis.

RESULTS

On average, 49% of the whole sample had 'good' caring behaviours. Among nurses who were working in Emirati intensive care units, 48.5% had good caring behaviours, compared to 47.4% of Jordanian intensive care unit nurses. Additionally, the results showed that predictors of caring behaviours among nurses include female gender, holding a master's degree, interest in nursing profession, and a 1:1 nurse-to-patient ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

About half of the ICU nurses in this study had low levels of caring behaviours. The present study highlights the requirement for integrating the concept of holistic and patient-centred care as the essence of the nursing profession in nursing curricula to improve the level of care provided by all nurses working in intensive care units. Continuing education programs and specific interventional programs should be directed toward predictors of caring behaviours among each specific group of nurses. Future research is needed using qualitative methods to understand what the perception of intensive care unit nurses is about caring.

Mindfulness, empathy and moral sensitivity in nurses: a structural equation modeling analysis

Background

Ethical issues may pose challenges to nurses; moral sensitivity can help them to overcome these challenges. Identifying variables related to moral sensitivity can help in planning to increase nurses’ moral sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship among mindfulness, empathy, and moral sensitivity in a sample of nurses.

Methods

In the present study, a cross-sectional design utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted. The nurses in a private hospital in Yazd, Iran, were invited to participate in the study (n=162) using simple random sampling. In order to gather the data, the Freiburg’s mindfulness inventory, moral sensitivity questionnaire, and revised Jefferson’s empathy scale were used. The hypothesized model was analyzed by SEM.

Results

The results show that Mindfulness (β=0.41, t=5.53, p<0.01) and empathy (β=0.52, t=6.77, p<0.01) had a significant direct effect on moral sensitivity. However, mindfulness had an indirect effect on nurses’ moral sensitivity via empathy improvement (z= 6.25, p<.01).

Conclusion

Empathy played a significant mediating role in the relationship between mindfulness and moral sensitivity, so mindfulness-based interventions with an emphasis on empathy may provide an opportunity to increase moral sensitivity in nurses.

Stress of conscience of COVID-19 among perianaesthesia nurses having worked in a COVID-ICU during the coronavirus pandemic: an international perspective

Background

Several studies have reported that working in a COVID-ICU impacted nurses’ mental well-being. Yet little is known about how perianaesthesia nurses who have been working in a COVID-ICU perceived their stress of conscience. The aim of this study was to: (1) describe and compare stress related to troubled conscience among perianaesthesia nurses in three countries who have been working in a COVID-ICU during the pandemic, (2) compare their levels of troubled conscience between working in a COVID-ICU and their usual workplace, and (3) compare nurses that usually work in an ICU department with nurses who usually work outside of the ICU.

Methods

A descriptive, international cross‐sectional online survey including the Stress of Conscience Questionnaire (SCQ) was distributed between organizational member countries of the International Collaboration of PeriAnaesthesia Nurses.

Results

A total of 246 nurses from three countries participated. Significant differences were found in stress of conscience when working in the Covid-ICU between Sweden 31.8 (8.6), Denmark 23.1 (8.6), and Netherlands 16.4 (6.5) p < 0.001. Significant differences were also found between nurses working in a COVID-ICU in contrast with their usual workplace: 23.1(5.6) versus 17.7(5.3), p < 0.001. The most stressful aspect of conscience reported was that work in the COVID-ICU was so demanding, nurses did not have sufficient energy to be involved with their family as much as they desired. No statistical differences were found between nurses that usually work in an ICU department with nurses who usually work outside of the ICU.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted stress of conscience among nurses working in the COVID-ICU. Swedish nurses were found to be more significantly impacted. This could be related to low numbers of existing ICU beds and ICU nurses prior to the pandemic necessitating a longer time required for working in a COVID-ICU. Stress of conscience also increased when working in the Covid-ICU compared to working in the usual workplace, and the most stressing aspect reported was that COVID-ICU work was so demanding that nurses did not have the energy to devote themselves to their family as they would have liked.