Stress of Conscience: Concept Clarification

Abstract

Workers in healthcare systems are predisposed to work-related stress based on moral factors. Stress results when nurses are exposed to ambiguous moral situations, or when they are prevented by hospitals or their employees from doing what they ought to do. Such experiences have been described as stress of conscience because they give rise to a troubled conscience. Empirical studies indicate that health care employees, including nurses, sometimes refer to stress of conscience when faced with ethically difficult situations related to patient care.