Frequency, Severity, Rate, and Causes of Moral Distress among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background. One of the most important psychosocial issues related to nursing profession is moral distress (MD), which has devastating effects on student performance as well patient care. The current study was conducted determine frequency, severity, rate, and causes MD in students. Methods. During this cross-sectional study, 86 samples were last year undergraduate students Kermanshah University Medical Sciences, who entered into by census method. Data gathering instruments personal information form, Moral Distress Scale-revised (MDS-r), Thermometer (MDT). Results. mean rate MD, according MDS-r questionnaire, 1.3 ± 0.7 out 4, 1.8 0.8 3.3 2.3 16, respectively. average MDT score 2.6 2.5 10. common working unsafe conditions (6.8 6.0), observing impaired patients health servicing (5.4 5.6), low quality care (5.1 4.6). There a statistically significant relationship between gender, work experience, participation professional ethics workshop variables MDS-total MDT. Conclusion. severity reported at moderate level. Also, mild an uncomfortable level, overall equal moderate. Therefore, administrators should take steps eliminate or reduce MD. In regard, need for teaching preventive methods against before their clinical courses seems crucial. with must be referred psychiatric/psychologist.