Nurses' moral distress and leadership communication in hospitals serving Black patients during COVID-19.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2024
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102189
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Poorer leadership communication during COVID-19 may have contributed to the moral distress of nurses in hospitals where Black patients predominantly access their care (BSH).
PURPOSE: To compare nurse moral distress and leadership communication during the COVID-19 pandemic in hospitals that serve disproportionately many or few patients of Black race.
METHODS: In a national hospital sample (n = 90), nurse survey data were collected (March 2021). Nurse moral distress was analyzed in linear regression models. The key covariates were BSH category (Medicare Black patient percentage) and leadership communication.
DISCUSSION: Nurses in high-BSH had significantly greater moral distress and more difficulty accessing personal protective equipment than nurses in low-BSH. The percentage of nurses in high-BSHs with high moral distress was double that of nurses in low-BSHs. Poorer leadership communication in BSHs accounted for the nurses' greater moral distress.
CONCLUSION: Policies should improve leadership communication, mitigate distress, and support nurses in under-resourced settings.
Journal Title
Nursing outlook
Volume
72
Issue
4
First Page
102189
Keywords
COVID-19; Communication; Disparities; Hospitals; Leadership; Moral distress; Nursing; Pandemics
Recommended Citation
Lake ET, Smith JG, Rogowski JA, et al. Nurses’ moral distress and leadership communication in hospitals serving black patients during COVID-19. Nursing Outlook. 2024;72(4):102189. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102189
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