Exploring how ethical challenges affect nurses' health and workplace safety.

Modeling How Moral Distress & Ethical Confidence Impact Nurses' Emotional & Physical Health and Safety Culture

NIH-funded research University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11018515

This study is looking at how the tough ethical decisions nurses have to make can affect their feelings and work, and it’s for nurses who want to understand how these challenges impact their well-being and the care they provide to patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11018515 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of moral distress on nurses, which arises from ethical challenges they face in providing care. By surveying over 20,000 registered nurses across four states, the study aims to identify factors that contribute to or alleviate moral distress and ethical confidence. The researchers will use both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather insights into nurses' experiences and link these findings to patient outcomes. This comprehensive approach seeks to enhance understanding of how ethical dilemmas affect not only nurses' well-being but also the overall safety culture in healthcare settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include registered nurses working in clinical settings who encounter ethical challenges in their daily practice.

Not a fit: Patients who are not involved in the nursing profession or do not work in healthcare settings may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health support for nurses and better patient care outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research in the field of bioethics has shown promising results in understanding the effects of moral distress on healthcare professionals, indicating that this approach has a foundation in established findings.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.