Nursing the moral distress: professional development for empowered caring

Abstract

Reflection takes place upon how feelings of moral distress can lead to the examination of possible causes and to strategies for empowerment. The links between Feminist Standpoint theory and Freire’s Concept of Education for Critical Consciousness are examined. Solutions to moral distress lie in examining the history and causes of oppression, and in intergenerational equity where all participants question, reflect and participate in the development of meaning and build upon available knowledge using collective and democratic principles for transformation. My professional development as a nurse over diverse settings including a British neonatal intensive care unit, an Aboriginal settlement in a remote area of Australia and as a maternal and child health nurse in rural Australia, is examined giving voice to several of the companions who accompanied me on the journey. These professionals and community members assisted in improving the ethical climate and provided contexts for desired change. Knowledge sharing can lead to reconciliation. The transformations related in this article serve to provide encouragement to all health professionals.

Keywords:

• moral distress
• feminist standpoint theory
• conscientisation
• professional development
• empowerment