Exploring the foundations and influences of nurses’moral courage: a scoping review
Abstract Introduction In the realm of healthcare, nurses frequently encounter complex ethical issues that demand moral courage. Nurses'moral courage is defined as the ability to act in alignment with their moral beliefs, even when faced with difficulties and dangers during ethical challenges. T...
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Ethics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01205-5 |
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| author | Mina Mollaei Fateme Metanat Amirreza Rafiei Javazm Mahdieh Motie |
| author_facet | Mina Mollaei Fateme Metanat Amirreza Rafiei Javazm Mahdieh Motie |
| author_sort | Mina Mollaei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction In the realm of healthcare, nurses frequently encounter complex ethical issues that demand moral courage. Nurses'moral courage is defined as the ability to act in alignment with their moral beliefs, even when faced with difficulties and dangers during ethical challenges. This study aims to explore the role of moral courage in nursing practice, highlighting its importance in maintaining patient care standards and fostering ethical decision-making. Methods This scoping review on nurses’ moral courage was conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step approach. Relevant literature was sourced from databases such as Embase, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL, spanning the years 2000–2024. A total of 40 studies were selected, focusing specifically on the foundations and influences of nurses’ moral courage, with data extraction and synthesis for reporting. Results The study highlights moral courage as crucial in nursing for ethical decision-making and patient care. Global variations in moral courage are influenced by cultural, contextual, and organizational factors. Tools for measurement show score discrepancies. Nursing education shapes moral courage, necessitating tailored programs. Research explores personal and organizational influences on ethical behavior, with factors like age, work experience, and ethics training impacting moral courage. Morning shift nurses and those with official employment exhibit higher moral courage. Gender’s impact remains inconclusive, requiring further study. Training in nursing ethics enhances moral courage, emphasizing its role in care quality. Conclusion In conclusion, understanding the diverse factors shaping moral courage in nursing is vital for navigating ethical challenges and improving patient care quality. Tailored educational strategies are essential to foster moral courage among nursing professionals globally, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and interventions to enhance ethical practice and patient outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1f4407d79b2d446cbcf40decf057a2e0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6939 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Ethics |
| spelling | doaj-art-1f4407d79b2d446cbcf40decf057a2e02025-08-20T02:25:41ZengBMCBMC Medical Ethics1472-69392025-04-0126111210.1186/s12910-025-01205-5Exploring the foundations and influences of nurses’moral courage: a scoping reviewMina Mollaei0Fateme Metanat1Amirreza Rafiei Javazm2Mahdieh Motie3Student Research Committee, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation SciencesStudent Research Committee, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation SciencesStudent Research Committee, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation SciencesStudent Research Committee, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation SciencesAbstract Introduction In the realm of healthcare, nurses frequently encounter complex ethical issues that demand moral courage. Nurses'moral courage is defined as the ability to act in alignment with their moral beliefs, even when faced with difficulties and dangers during ethical challenges. This study aims to explore the role of moral courage in nursing practice, highlighting its importance in maintaining patient care standards and fostering ethical decision-making. Methods This scoping review on nurses’ moral courage was conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step approach. Relevant literature was sourced from databases such as Embase, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL, spanning the years 2000–2024. A total of 40 studies were selected, focusing specifically on the foundations and influences of nurses’ moral courage, with data extraction and synthesis for reporting. Results The study highlights moral courage as crucial in nursing for ethical decision-making and patient care. Global variations in moral courage are influenced by cultural, contextual, and organizational factors. Tools for measurement show score discrepancies. Nursing education shapes moral courage, necessitating tailored programs. Research explores personal and organizational influences on ethical behavior, with factors like age, work experience, and ethics training impacting moral courage. Morning shift nurses and those with official employment exhibit higher moral courage. Gender’s impact remains inconclusive, requiring further study. Training in nursing ethics enhances moral courage, emphasizing its role in care quality. Conclusion In conclusion, understanding the diverse factors shaping moral courage in nursing is vital for navigating ethical challenges and improving patient care quality. Tailored educational strategies are essential to foster moral courage among nursing professionals globally, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and interventions to enhance ethical practice and patient outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01205-5Moral courageNursingNursesScoping Review |
| spellingShingle | Mina Mollaei Fateme Metanat Amirreza Rafiei Javazm Mahdieh Motie Exploring the foundations and influences of nurses’moral courage: a scoping review BMC Medical Ethics Moral courage Nursing Nurses Scoping Review |
| title | Exploring the foundations and influences of nurses’moral courage: a scoping review |
| title_full | Exploring the foundations and influences of nurses’moral courage: a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the foundations and influences of nurses’moral courage: a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the foundations and influences of nurses’moral courage: a scoping review |
| title_short | Exploring the foundations and influences of nurses’moral courage: a scoping review |
| title_sort | exploring the foundations and influences of nurses moral courage a scoping review |
| topic | Moral courage Nursing Nurses Scoping Review |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01205-5 |
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