Other Titles
Moral Distress Among York College Nursing Students [Poster Title]
Abstract
Moral Distress can occur when individuals are unable to act in accordance with their moral or ethical belief, this can be due to either internal or external constraints. While moral distress has been widely examined in among practicing nurses, limited research has explored the presence among undergraduate nursing students. The purpose of this study was to examine the level of distress and frequency of moral distress at a preliminary level, among undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program at York College in Queens, New York.
A quantitative descriptive design was adopted. Undergraduate nursing students (n=47) completed an anonymous online survey containing demographic questions and the Measure of Moral Distress-Health Professionals (MMD-HP). Descriptive statistics were used to examine the frequency and intensity of moral distress across each cohort levels. Overall frequency of moral distress was found to be low; however, the level of distress increased with academic progression through the nursing program. Senior students reported the highest average moral distress intensity (m=1.51) and frequency (m=1.13). Six participants reported moderate to high levels of moral distress. In the finding it suggested that while moral distress was higher with academic progression, it may not be as frequent as students progress in the program. Early curricular and faculty-led interventions may support students’ ethical development and emotional well-being.
Notes
References:
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Sigma Membership
Alpha Zeta
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Moral Distress, Ethical Problems, Nursing Students, Nursing Education, Moral Resilience, Psychological Resilience, Ethics
Recommended Citation
Debidin, Nikea S. and Aminov, Andrey, "Preliminary Study of Moral Distress Among York College Nursing Students" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 146.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/146
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-10-02
Preliminary Study of Moral Distress Among York College Nursing Students
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Moral Distress can occur when individuals are unable to act in accordance with their moral or ethical belief, this can be due to either internal or external constraints. While moral distress has been widely examined in among practicing nurses, limited research has explored the presence among undergraduate nursing students. The purpose of this study was to examine the level of distress and frequency of moral distress at a preliminary level, among undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program at York College in Queens, New York.
A quantitative descriptive design was adopted. Undergraduate nursing students (n=47) completed an anonymous online survey containing demographic questions and the Measure of Moral Distress-Health Professionals (MMD-HP). Descriptive statistics were used to examine the frequency and intensity of moral distress across each cohort levels. Overall frequency of moral distress was found to be low; however, the level of distress increased with academic progression through the nursing program. Senior students reported the highest average moral distress intensity (m=1.51) and frequency (m=1.13). Six participants reported moderate to high levels of moral distress. In the finding it suggested that while moral distress was higher with academic progression, it may not be as frequent as students progress in the program. Early curricular and faculty-led interventions may support students’ ethical development and emotional well-being.
Description
This study examined moral distress in undergraduate nursing students, which happens when someone cannot act on their ethical beliefs. An issue less known about students. A preliminary study of 47 students at York College, found that moral distress was low but increased in intensity as students progressed through the program. Seniors reported the highest levels, which suggest that earlier support and education around ethics may help students better manage moral distress during their training.