The occupation of a nurse is rather harsh and distressful. Complicated and emotionally draining situations are something that they are exposed to quite frequently. This, in turn, results in such issues as moral distress, PTSD, compassion fatigue and secondary traumatization. Upon realizing how damaging the former may be to nursing practice, it is important to discuss moral resilience and other strategies that may be implemented to cultivate this characteristic in healthcare professionals.
The two subsections that have impacted me are the Psychological consequences of the work environment and Recommendations to foster individual moral resilience. The former, as the name shows, depicts the aftermath of what nurses have to deal with regularly, some of the issues being PTSD, compassion fatigue and burnout syndrome (ANA, 2017). This subsection has taught me how valuable moral resilience maybe since my job involves experiencing ethical challenges in my practice. Unfortunately, in its process, I may witness my patients suffering from various health problems, which can be quite taxing for my mental health. Although this is an inevitable feature, there is a chance to prevent the aforementioned consequences of my environment while providing the necessary care for my patients.
The second section, Recommendations to foster individual moral resilience, explains how I may foster moral resilience. As mentioned earlier, it will help me overcome the mental health issues that may happen as a result of my work environment. I have found some of the recommendations in that subsection useful, especially points 2, 4, and 6. Ethical competence is one of the counterparts of moral resilience, which is why I need to review the Code of Ethics. Self-awareness will help me identify signs of moral suffering, and I will be able to seek help if necessary. By combating the issue in time, I will be able to prevent any complications or negative consequences that could be caused by the aforementioned problem. Finally, by creating an individual plan for well-being and resilience, I will be able to incorporate solutions that suit me personally.
In conclusion, moral resilience is crucial for medical professionals, as it helps prevent and combat cases of moral suffering. The two subsections that I mentioned describe these consequences, emphasizing its importance and provide ideas for moral resilience. That way, I will be able to become a better medical professional, prevent any mental issues and improve the characteristics that are crucial for acquiring this valuable feature.
References
American Nurses Association (2017) Call to Action Monograph: Exploring resilience toward a culture of ethical practice.