Relationship between Moral Sensitivity and Moral Intelligence in Nurses Working in Intensive Care Units

Background and purpose: Nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) are sometimes faced with ethical decision making which requires ethical sensitivity and moral intelligence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between moral sensitivity and moral intelligence in nurses working in intensive care units. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in 112 nurses working in adult ICUs who were selected by census sampling in Amol, Iran 2019. The Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire and Moral Intelligence Questionnaire were administered and data were analyzed applying descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: No significant relationship was found between moral intelligence and moral sensitivity (r= 0.14, P= 0.15). But, there was a significant positive relationship between moral intelligence and the dimension of knowing how to communicate with the patient as one of the areas of moral sensitivity (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to current study, high levels of moral intelligence would help nurses in having better relationships with patients. Therefore, developing appropriate programs are suggested to improve ethical sensitivity in nurses.