Moral Distress and Moral Courage among Nurses Working in Selected Oncology Wards, BMTU and OPD

Latha Gracelin P., Lillian Percy Kujur

Abstract: Background: Nurses working in Oncology settings frequently encounter ethically challenging situations that may lead to moral distress. Moral courage enables Nurses to act in accordance with ethical principles despite potential adverse consequences. Understanding the relationship between moral distress and moral courage is essential for improving ethical Nursing practice. Objectives: To assess moral distress, moral courage, to correlate moral distress and moral courage and to determine the association of moral distress and moral courage with selected demographic variables among Oncology Nurses. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among 82 Nurses working in selected Oncology wards, Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, and Haematology OPD of a tertiary care hospital in South India. Moral distress was assessed using the Moral Distress Scale?Revised (MDS-R) and moral courage was measured using the Nurses' Moral Courage Scale (NMCS). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank correlation, and Chi-square tests. Results: The mean moral distress score was 41.94 ± 13.31, indicating a moderate level of moral distress. The mean moral courage score was 86.80 ± 10.56, indicating a high level of moral courage. Spearman's rank correlation showed a weak positive correlation between moral distress and moral courage, which was not statistically significant (? = 0.091, p = 0.417). Selected demographic variables showed varying associations with moral distress and moral courage. Conclusion: Nurses experienced moderate moral distress despite demonstrating high moral courage. Moral distress and moral courage were found to be independent constructs, highlighting the need for organizational strategies to support ethical Nursing practice.

Keywords: Moral distress, Moral courage, Oncology Nurses, Ethics, Nursing

How to Cite?: Latha Gracelin P., Lillian Percy Kujur, "Moral Distress and Moral Courage among Nurses Working in Selected Oncology Wards, BMTU and OPD", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1620-1623, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251219162619, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251219162619