Exploring Moral Distress Among Unit-Based Critical Care Nurse Leaders in Alabama

My name is Preston Miller and I am a PhD student in the Joint PhD in Nursing Science Program at the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing and the University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Nursing. I am in the process of conducting my dissertation study and am seeking to recruit unit-based critical care nurse leaders from across the state of Alabama. I am particularly seeking those who are located and work in facilities in the Southern Region of Alabama.

The study is entitled Exploring Moral Distress Among Unit-Based Critical Care Nurse Leaders in Alabama. A unit-based critical care nurse leader is someone who serves in a formal leadership role as conferred by their hospital and whose responsibilities are beyond those of a staff, bedside nurse. I have attached a recruitment brochure which can be shared among those you know who may be interested and eligible in participating in this study.

Moral distress is defined by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) as “occurring when you know the ethically correct action to take but you are constrained from taking it.” Moral distress is associated with physical and psychological effects and has been indicated as a factor of nurses experiencing burnout and leaving the profession. This phenomenon is relatively unexplored among nurse leaders.

In brief, I am seeking to recruit unit-based critical care nurse leaders with an active Registered Nurse license in the state of Alabama who serve within a formal leadership role as defined by their hospital on a critical care unit (to include the ED). Participants must be English-speaking and willing to complete a 27-question demographics questionnaire and a scheduled 30 – 90 minute, voice-recorded, phone interview session. The attached brochure contains more information. The following links to the survey: https://uah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8SIIbsCV9wfeCy

Thank you for your time in reviewing this post and sharing among those you know who may meet the inclusion criteria.

Thank You,

Preston Miller, BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC, PCCN-K