The Relationship between Moral Distress and Job Satisfaction in Iranian female Nurses

Moral distress is a serious problem in clinical nursing that affects personal and professional aspects of nurses’ lives including their job satisfaction. This study was conducted with the aim to determine the relationship between moral distress and job satisfaction in Iranian female nurses. This is a descriptive-analytical study in which the relationship between moral distress and job satisfaction in nurses is assessed. Participants in the study included 140 nurses employed at health centers in the city of Bam (located in southeast of Iran) in 2011. Data were collected using the Jameton (1984) Moral Distress Scale (MDS) and Lutans job satisfaction questionnaire. Findings of the study revealed mean moral distress among female nurses between 5.04 and 7, and mean job satisfaction between 2.52 and 4. Also, a significant inverse correlation was observed between moral distress and job satisfaction in nurses (R=-0.586, P=0.00).Given the level of moral distress and its considerable affect on nurses’ job satisfaction, nursing managers should find strategies to reduce level of moral distress among staff, and by creating supportive environments for nurses, provide opportunities for their improvement and promotion.