Understanding Moral Courage From Nurse Leaders’ Perspectives: A Qualitative Exploration

Abstract

Background: The stance of nurse leaders toward moral courage and encouragement received from them hold significant sway in determining whether nurses can courageously uphold the correct values in their duties and actions.

Aim: The objective of this study is to gain insights into nurse leaders’ perceptions of moral courage in the workplace, with the aim of addressing barriers to the development of moral courage among nurses.

Research Design: This study used descriptive qualitative methods in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ).

Participants and Research Context: This study was conducted in 2024. Participants were selected by purposive sampling. The sample size was determined by data saturation, which was reached with 10 participants. The interviews were conducted through semistructured telephone interviews. Data were analyzed using a deductive method of content analysis.

Ethical Considerations: The ethics committee of Fujian Medical University (No. 196, 2024) provided approval for this study. Verbal consent was obtained before the interview with the participants. All data were processed anonymously and confidentially.

Results: The analysis resulted in 14 subcategories, which were subsequently grouped into 4 categories.

Conclusions: This study emphasizes the essential role of nurse leaders in promoting moral courage within healthcare teams. By fostering an ethical environment and providing support, nurse leaders enable nurses to make ethically sound decisions. Future research could further explore the longitudinal development of moral courage in nursing practice to understand the impact of moral courage on healthcare outcomes.