Moral distress is a complex and challenging experience that is frequently felt by RNs of all experience levels and occurs when a person knows the ethically correct action to take but is unable to take that action for a variety of reasons. This form of distress is unique in that it threatens a person’s core values.
Are you an Australian Registered Nurse, currently working in an Australian Emergency Department?
Do you ever feel that patient care is suffering because you are overwhelmed?
The purpose of this study is to consider the unique Australian emergency healthcare environment and identify if there is a difference between the frequency and level of moral distress felt by ECRNs compared to RNs.
We also want to know what you think will help to make things better, and we are looking for participants to trial audio diaries as a way of mitigating moral distress.
Who can participate?
To participate in this study, you must be a Registered Nurse currently practising in an Australian Emergency Department.
What’s involved?
If you decide to participate in this study, you will be asked to complete the following tasks:
1. Consent to participate
2. Complete demographic information. The demographic information collected asks questions on your age range, gender, the state you currently work in, the primary location of your hospital (e.g. metropolitan or rural), current job title, years of experience as an RN in general and in emergency to better understand the diversity of our participants and ensure our findings represent a wide range of perspectives. This information helps us identify patterns and trends that may be relevant to the study outcomes and includes information such as general information about age and gender, your experience in years and current working hours. This will take approximately two minutes.
3. Complete an anonymous Qualtrics© survey called the ‘Measure of Moral Distress – Health Practitioners’. This will take approximately 10 minutes.
Why is this research important?
Moral distress has been identified as a key factor contributing to burnout and attrition in emergency nursing, especially among early-career nurses. This research aims to generate Australian-specific evidence and trial innovative strategies, like audio diaries, to help nurses process their experiences. Your insights can directly contribute to improving well-being and sustainability in the emergency nursing workforce.
Ethics Approval Number: 2025/037
Closing Date: 09/03/2026