Strategies to Mitigate Moral Distress in Oncology Nursing

Abstract

Because of prolonged exposure to ethical dilemmas, including the inability to control pain, uncertainties in goals of care, and transition to end-of-life care, moral distress remains a problem for oncology nurses. Caring for patients and fam-ilies under these uncertainties takes an emotional toll on oncology nurses. These work-related experiences inherent in the oncology setting are associated with moral distress in nurses that may lead to burnout and have a detrimental effect on their health and well-being. AT A GLANCE ɔ Increased burnout and turnover in nursing staff can result from moral distress. ɔ Moral distress may be related to the inability to stop suffering, unclear goals of care, and perceived futile treatments. ɔ A resilience approach can be used to anticipate and manage moral distress in oncology nursing.