Analysis of moral courage and related factors among undergraduate nursing students: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective: to analyze scientific evidence on moral courage and related factors among nursing undergraduate students. Method: the protocol of this scoping review was registered on Open Science Framework. A search was performed in five databases, according to the method provided by Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers, the mnemonic strategy Population, Concept and Context, and a specific checklist. Results: a total of 2,812 results were identified, but only nine studies were eligible and presented three thematic approaches: Moral courage from the perspective of nursing students; Moral courage and related factors; and The teaching of moral courage in the training of nursing students. The factors related to moral courage include moral distress, moral sensitivity, age, and having a previous degree in the health field. Final Considerations: few studies were found with a low evidence level. Most were performed in developed countries, indicating some gaps that need to be addressed in the future.