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. 2025 Dec 12.
doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-04194-3. Online ahead of print.

Factors influencing conscience-based nursing care and associated outcomes: a narrative review

Homeira Khoddam  1 , Abbas Ebadi  2 , Soheyla Kalantari  3 , Mahnaz Modanloo  1 , Farshid Alazmani-Noodeh  4
Affiliations
Free article

Factors influencing conscience-based nursing care and associated outcomes: a narrative review

Homeira Khoddam et al. BMC Nurs. .
Free article

Abstract

Introduction: Conscience plays a pivotal role in nursing practice, influencing the quality of care provided by nurses. It is a significant aspect of personality that contributes to professional competence. This study aims to explore the factors influencing nursing care grounded in conscience and the subsequent outcomes.

Methodology: This review involved an extensive examination of existing literature without a time restriction. National databases such as SID, MAGIRAN, IRANDOC, and Danesh Gostar Barakt Health System, alongside international databases like PUBMED, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, and GOOGLE SCHOLAR, were searched. Following a rigorous screening process, 45 studies were selected for inclusion in this review.

Results: The analysis identified three primary categories of factors affecting conscientious nursing care: Organizational Factors, resource availability, and protective measures, Professional Competence: Comprises four subcategories-attitude, professional knowledge and skills, patient communication, and teamwork, along with moral commitment, Personality Characteristics: Encompassing individual abilities, values, and beliefs and The outcomes of conscientious care were classified into three categories: responsive care, enhancement of professional ethics, and emotional outcomes.

Conclusion: Conscience is influenced by various factors that significantly alter the quality of nursing care. Emphasizing the importance of financial and human resources, increasing awareness of the nursing profession, and adhering to ethical standards, alongside enhancing individual capabilities and beliefs among nurses, are essential for fostering conscientious care. Attention to these factors is crucial for developing and refining future nursing strategies.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Keywords: Conscience; Conscience-based care; Ethical nursing.; Nursing practice.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical approval: This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of National Ethical Guidelines for Research and the policies established by the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee of Golestan University of Medical Sciences (IR.GOUMS.REC.1399.245). Consent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Consent to publish: N/A. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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