Effects of an ethics education program on nurses' moral efficacy in an acute health care facility.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate an ethics education program developed to increase moral efficacy among nurses in an acute health care facility. Moral distress among nurses can cause serious problems in terms of hospital organisations and patient safety. To reduce moral distress and promote professional confidence in nursing practice, a strategic intervention program is needed. An ethics education program introduced methods to increase self-efficacy in accordance with Bandura's social cognitive theory. Eight nurses were recruited from 2017 to 2019, and all conversations and discussions regarding the ethics consultation were recorded on IC recorders and analysed qualitatively. Four core categories-Convinced to take an active role in ethical issues; Progressed in nursing practice with ethical agency; Experienced professional transformation; and Empowered by the presence of colleagues-emerged as outcomes of the ethics education program that related to moral efficacy. The four core outcome categories suggested that the participants had gained confidence after taking part in the ethical education program. The results of the participants' described behaviours and actions suggested that they would be proactive in contributing to reductions in moral distress in the future.