Cognitive Contexts of Ethical Practice: A Phenomenology Study of Nurse Managers
Format Type
Plenary
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
13-1-2021 3:00 PM
End Date
13-1-2021 3:20 PM
Abstract
Abstract
Aim: Excellence and quality nursing care are significant concerns of senior leadership in the nursing discipline. A gap in the nursing literature exists to understand what it is like for frontline nurse managers, working in hospitals' acute care setting, to workplace ethical leadership and practice. Meanings nurse managers attach to their experiences affect their abilities to lead and manage in nursing practice. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the lived experiences of frontline nurse managers' workplace ethical issues and dilemmas.
Methods: A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to conduct an in-depth telephone interview survey. The telephone survey was audio-recorded using a two-part process to explore personal life histories regarding encountered workplace ethical dilemmas.
Ethical Considerations: The investigator obtained permission from the University of Phoenix School of Advance Studies Institutaional Review Board to conduct the research study.
Findings: Four themes were identified relevant to frontline nurse managers' experiences of workplace ethical issues and dilemmas, and these include: 1) using teamwork to keep patients safe, 2) creating psychologically safe environments, 3) managing just practices, and 4) balancing compromises. These themes characterize frontline nurse managers' activities for workplace ethical practice; and ensuring that patients are the focus of care processes we call ethics of care.
Conclusions and recommendations: Fronline nurse managers need skills to develop ethical leadership regarding ethical awareness for resolving workplace ethical issues and dilemmas. Practice implications and future recommendations for futher studies are discussed.
Keywords
ethics, leadership, nursing, management, ethical practice, frontline nurse managers
Cognitive Contexts of Ethical Practice: A Phenomenology Study of Nurse Managers
Abstract
Aim: Excellence and quality nursing care are significant concerns of senior leadership in the nursing discipline. A gap in the nursing literature exists to understand what it is like for frontline nurse managers, working in hospitals' acute care setting, to workplace ethical leadership and practice. Meanings nurse managers attach to their experiences affect their abilities to lead and manage in nursing practice. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the lived experiences of frontline nurse managers' workplace ethical issues and dilemmas.
Methods: A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to conduct an in-depth telephone interview survey. The telephone survey was audio-recorded using a two-part process to explore personal life histories regarding encountered workplace ethical dilemmas.
Ethical Considerations: The investigator obtained permission from the University of Phoenix School of Advance Studies Institutaional Review Board to conduct the research study.
Findings: Four themes were identified relevant to frontline nurse managers' experiences of workplace ethical issues and dilemmas, and these include: 1) using teamwork to keep patients safe, 2) creating psychologically safe environments, 3) managing just practices, and 4) balancing compromises. These themes characterize frontline nurse managers' activities for workplace ethical practice; and ensuring that patients are the focus of care processes we call ethics of care.
Conclusions and recommendations: Fronline nurse managers need skills to develop ethical leadership regarding ethical awareness for resolving workplace ethical issues and dilemmas. Practice implications and future recommendations for futher studies are discussed.
Comments
Please include additional authors to paper (not presenting at the conference) accordingly:
Linda Amankwaa, Ph. D., RN, FAAN, Chair
Mirella Brooks, Ph. D., FNP-BC, APRN, Committee Member
Suzanne Moss Richins, DHA, Committee Member