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. 2018 Mar 29;5(2):121-125.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2018.03.006. eCollection 2018 Apr 10.

A survey of moral distress in certified registered nurse anesthetists: A theoretical perspective for change in ethics education for advance practice nurses

Brenda A Wands  1
Affiliations

A survey of moral distress in certified registered nurse anesthetists: A theoretical perspective for change in ethics education for advance practice nurses

Brenda A Wands. Int J Nurs Sci. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between moral distress that may affect patient safety, and the clinical practice model, assessing ethical decision-making skills of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).

Methods: A survey using the Ethical Stress Scale (ESS) and the Ethical Assessment Skills Survey (EASS) was conducted with 134 CRNAs.

Results: Results indicated no significant effect of practice model on level of moral distress or perceived ethical assessment skill knowledge [Wilks's lambda = 0.952, F (6, 256) = 1.068, P = 0.382, n 2 = 0.02]. A statistically significant positive correlation existed between importance and skill (r = 0.275, P = 0.001). CRNAs felt skilled to manage the actions or activities they deemed important.

Conclusion: CRNAs who perceived a higher skill level in addressing ethical issues experienced lower levels of moral distress. Findings indicate content-specific curricula for the CRNAs need to be evaluated for ethical decision-making skill assessment content.

Keywords: Advance practice nurse; Certified registered nurse anesthetist; Moral distress.

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