Exploring Moral Distress Among Unit-Based Critical Care Nurse Leaders in Alabama

Invitation to Participate in Research

Hello,

My name is Preston Miller and I am a Ph.D. Candidate in the Joint Ph.D. in Nursing Science Program at the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Attached to this email you will find a recruitment brochure for a study connected to my dissertation entitled, Exploring Moral Distress Among Unit-Based Critical Care Nurse Leaders in Alabama. A unit-based critical care nurse leader is someone who serves in a formal leadership role as conferred by their hospital and whose responsibilities are beyond those of staff, or bedside nurse. I would greatly appreciate your time in reviewing the attached brochure and sharing this email with anyone you may know who may be eligible and interested in participating in this study.

Moral distress is defined by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) as “occurring when you know the ethically correct action to take but you are constrained from taking it.” Moral distress is associated with physical and psychological effects and has been indicated as a factor in nurses experiencing burnout and leaving the profession. This phenomenon is relatively unexplored among nurse leaders.

In brief, I am looking to recruit unit-based critical care nurse leaders with an active Registered Nurse license in the state of Alabama and serve within a formal leadership role as defined by their hospital on a critical care unit. Participants must be English-speaking and willing to complete a 27-question demographics questionnaire and a scheduled 30 – 90 minute, voice-recorded, phone interview session. The attached brochure contains more information. The study can also be accessed at this link: https://uah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8SIIbsCV9wfeCy

Thank you for your time in reviewing this email and the attached brochure and sharing it with those you know who may meet the inclusion criteria.

Note: Participation in this study is voluntary, the University is only helping to facilitate recruitment. If you are receiving this email, you are under no obligation to participate in this study or share this material.

Thank You,

Preston Miller, BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC