Evaluation of moral sensitivity and moral courage in intensive care nurses in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, intensive care nurses may experience ethical issues related to fear of transmission, limited resources, and increased workload. Nurses' moral sensitivity and courage may have a role in dealing with these problems. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess intensive care nurses' moral sensitivity and moral courage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional survey. Methods: A total of 362 nurses working in the intensive care units of pandemic hospitals in Turkey participated in the study between January and March 2021. Data were obtained using a personal information form, the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the Nurses' Moral Courage Scale. A link to the online data collection tools was sent to the management of participating institutions, who forwarded it to nurses. Reporting followed the CHERRIES guidelines. Results: In this study, the response rate of nurses was 89%. The nurses' total mean moral sensitivity score was 90.70 ± 28.89 and their mean moral courage score was 82.08 ± 13.51. A weak inverse correlation was found between the nurses' moral sensitivity and moral courage scores (r = −.176, p =.001). Total moral sensitivity score differed significantly according to years of Intensive care unit (ICU) experience (p =.007). Total moral courage scores increased significantly with education level (p =.012), years of nursing experience (p =.016), and willingness to work in the ICU (p <.001). Conclusion: The study suggests that nurses working in the intensive care unit during the pandemic had moderate moral sensitivity and high levels of moral courage. Nurses' sociodemographic characteristics and ICU work conditions may affect their moral sensitivity and moral courage. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The results of this study can help guide efforts to improve moral courage and sensitivity and address ethical issues among ICU nurses.