The influence of conscience in nursing.

Full Abstract

The influence of conscience on nurses in terms of guilt has frequently been described but its impact on care has received less attention. The aim of this study was to describe nurses' conceptions of the influence of conscience on the provision of inpatient care. The study employed a phenomenographic approach and analysis method. Fifteen nurses from three hospitals in western Sweden were interviewed. The results showed that these nurses considered conscience to be an important factor in the exercise of their profession, as revealed by the descriptive categories: conscience as a driving force; conscience as a restricting factor; and conscience as a source of sensitivity. They perceived that conscience played a role in nursing actions involving patients and next of kin, and was an asset that guided them in their efforts to provide high quality care.

Author information

Author/s: Jensen, Annika (A); Lidell, Evy (E);

Affiliation: School of Social and Health Sciences, Halmstad University, Campus Varberg, HOS, 432 80 Varberg, Sweden. annika.jensen(-atsign-)hh.se

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Multicenter Study

Journal: Nursing ethics (Nurs Ethics), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jan; vol 16 (issue 1) : pp 31-42

Dates: Created 2008/12/23; Completed 2009/03/18;

PMID: 19103689, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 3/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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