Explaining Courage in Ethical Decision-making by Nursing Managers: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Ethical decision-making by nursing managers is influenced by various essential factors, such as courage, without which it is impossible to act on them.

This study aimed to explore the experiences of nursing managers about courage in ethical decision-making.

The current study was conducted in Iran by a qualitative content analysis approach in 2018. Nineteen nurse managers were selected purposefully from hospitals in Tehran and Shahrekord cities. Data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews, and after transcription, they were analyzed according to the Graneheim and Lundman method.

Based on data analysis, we extracted 2 categories (obligation, decisiveness) and 8 subcategories (clearness in expressing decisions, the ability of the manager to make decisions in critical and complex situations, authority/decision-making as a religious responsibility, follow the decision process, being responsible, making compensatory decisions, making preventive decisions).

The findings showed that managers who are committed to ethical decision-making have enough assertiveness to make the decisions. Educating, empowering, and sensitizing managers and enhancing their insight into ethical issues through problem-solving and role-playing techniques can play an essential role in promoting their commitment and responsibility.