Korean J Med Ethics.  2012 Dec;15(3):339-354.

Relationships among Ethical Dilemma Experienced by Nurses, Burnout and Coping

• LEE HK
• SHIN JS

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the relationships between nurses’ experiences with ethical dilemmas and their burnout and coping responses. Self-reported questionnaires were completed by 184 registered nurses working in a general hospital with 500 beds in Cheong-Ju city, South Korea. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient, using the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. The mean score for the level of ethical dilemma was 0.60/1, and the area of professional nursing practice was the highest (M=0.71). The results showed that nurses experienced many ethical dilemmas in their practice. The mean score of the level of burnout was 2.65/4, and physical burnout was the highest (M=2.86). The mean score of the level of coping with ethical dilemma was 2.64/4. The ethical dilemma demonstrated significant correlations with coping (r=0.160, p=0.030). Ethical dilemmas in the clinical setting can lead to feelings of burnout and frustration. Nurses need further education on how to reduce ethical conflicts as well as training to develop strategies for effective coping with the ethical dilemmas they confront in practice.

Keyword

nurses; ethical dilemmas; burnout; coping