Search

Introduction. Research on the nature of moral problems in the work of pediatric nurses and strategies for solving them is significant, among others, for improving vocational education. Aim. The aim of the study was to examine the opinions of pediatric nurses on the issue of moral problems experienced by them in professional practice and the strategies for solving them. Material and methods. The research was carried out in a group of 104 pediatric nurses using the method of a survey with the use the authors’ questionnaire. Results. Half of the nurses surveyed rarely experienced moral problems (55; 52.88%) in their professional work. In solving moral dilemmas, nurses were guided primarily by the voice of their own conscience (64, 61.54%), norms of the code of professional ethics (61, 58.65%) and procedures in force at their place of work (58, 55.77%). In the situation of a moral dilemma, it was important for the respondents to be supported by a departmental nurse (48, 46.15%) and a nurse with longer professional experience (48, 46.15%). The majority of the respondents (90, 86.53%) tried to follow the principles of a professed religion in their professional work. Half of the surveyed notice deficiencies in their knowledge. According to more than half of the respondents (70, 67.30%), the knowledge of professional ethics is useful in clinical practice. Conclusions. The examined pediatric nurses developed strategies for solving problems of a moral nature in their professional practice. Developing moral sensitivity, improving the ability to make ethical decisions and mutual support in nursing teams are important issues to be focused on in the process of postgraduate and lifelong education of nurses.

Introduction. Jehovah’s Witnesses absolutely refuse having blood transfusion performed. The situation is even more difficult when the refusal of blood transfusion concerns a child. Despite existing legal solutions, medical staff experiences value conflicts. Aim. To analyze the opinions of pediatric nurses about problems that may arise in case of Jehovah’s Witnesses refusal of blood transfusion for their child. Material and methods. Quantitative research was based on a diagnostic survey method. The variables were measured with the use of a survey questionnaire co-developed by the authors. A group of 104 pediatric nurses from the South-East Poland participated in the study. Results. To the question “Have you ever encountered the situation throughout all your working career when parents refused their child to undergo a blood treatment due to their beliefs?”, 67.31% (n = 70) of the respondents replied the situation rarely happened. Half of the nurses surveyed (n = 52, 50.02%) admitted they did not accept the position of Jehovah’s Witnesses concerning blood treatment. Most of the nurses surveyed – 87.38% (n = 89) think the existence of procedures on how to proceed in this difficult situation is crucial, and 83% (n = 86) of the respondents admitted that there was no better solution than the already existing legal procedure. Conclusions. The most difficult experience of pediatric nurses in the situation of Jehovah’s Witnesses refusal of blood transfusion for their child is in the opinion of surveyed nurses, endangering the child’s health or even life. Thus, most of the respondents agree that the best solution in that case is to implement a legal procedure that allows blood transfusion despite parents’ refusal.