Understanding lived experiences of nurse managers about managerial ethics

Abstract

Introduction: Expressions of Managerial ethics as a clinical phenomenon in Nursing Ethics as expressed by nurse managers were investigated. A coherence could be detected between the concepts and phenomena of Managerial ethics and nurse managers as a context.

Background: Managerial ethics as a new approach has emerged in the perspective and by prioritizing ethics in the organization has provided the basis for creating and promoting individual and organizational effectiveness. Managers' and staff's adherence to professional ethics helps hospitals to achieve their intended goals.

Aim: The present study aimed to explain nurse managers' experience of managerial ethics.

Research design: This qualitative study was conducted based on a phenomenological design in 2022.

Participants and research context: The participants included 20 nurse managers working in hospitals in Arak, Iran. They were selected by the purposive sampling method which continued until data saturation. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews (30-90 min); subsequently, the obtained results were analyzed using the Van Manen six-step approach.

Ethical considerations: The confidentiality and the right of participants to take part or withdraw from the study were observed during this research.

Results: The results of the present study were able to demonstrate nurse managers' lived experience of managerial ethics in the form of five themes of professional ethics, people-oriented management, professional empowerment, excellencism, and patient-centered care.

Conclusions: As evidenced by the obtained results, nurse managers held a positive view of managerial ethics. They were striving to strongly adhere to ethical principles in nursing management since they contribute greatly to the improved quality of nursing services in care and health settings. Therefore, appropriate policy-making and planning for managerial ethics training are indispensable for all nurses and nursing students.

Keywords: Ethics; lived experience; management; managerial ethics; nursing; qualitative study.