O sofrimento moral é descrito na literatura como o sentimento resultante do impedimento à uma ação considerada moralmente apropriada, devido, sobretudo, a obstáculos institucionais, como a falta de recursos e a carga de trabalho. As consequências envolvem sintomas físicos, como mal estar, choro e desordens do sono e sintomas psicológicos, como frustração, impotência e culpa, além de implicações organizacionais, principalmente relacionadas com afastamentos e abandono do emprego. Considerando que o contexto de trabalho pode influenciar na vivência de situações moralmente problemáticas, o objetivo do estudo foi analisar o fenômeno do sofrimento moral em enfermeiros no Brasil e em Portugal. Trata-se de uma pesquisa metodológica para desenvolvimento, busca de evidências de validade e refinamento de um instrumento de pesquisa. A investigação partiu da análise de 38 estudos da literatura para construção de uma escala para identificação de fatores de risco para sofrimento moral. A busca por evidências de validade incluiu uma análise de juízes, para validação de conteúdo, e uma análise fatorial exploratória, para validação de constructo, com uma amostra de 268 enfermeiros brasileiros e 278 enfermeiros portugueses. O resultado foi uma escala com evidência de validade para ambos os países, com Alpha de Cronbach de 0,913 e 0,790, teste de Kaiser-Meyer Olkin de 0,869 e 0,914 e índice de Bartlett significativo (p <0,001) para Brasil e Portugal, respectivamente. Cerca de 59,8% da variância é explicada por 30 itens, divididos em sete fatores, na versão brasileira, e cerca de 53,9% da variância é explicada por 20 itens, divididos em 4 fatores, na versão portuguesa. A vivência de fatores de risco para sofrimento moral foi considerada moderada no Brasil e baixa em Portugal. As variáveis que mostraram associação significativa com maiores médias totais de risco nos dois países foram o tipo de serviço, as horas de trabalho, estar em sofrimento moral e ter a intenção de deixar o emprego atual. Pesquisas no âmbito do sofrimento moral podem, entre outros aspectos, auxiliar na identificação dos desafios e das dificuldades que mais preocupam os enfermeiros em seu contexto de trabalho. No intuito de contribuir no desenvolvimento de estratégias de enfrentamento e melhorar a retenção e a satisfação profissional, pesquisas acerca do sofrimento moral podem refletir positivamente na qualidade dos cuidados. / Moral distress is described as the feeling resulting from the impediment to an action considered morally appropriate, mainly due to institutional obstacles such as the lack of resources and the high workload. Main consequences are physical symptoms, such as malaise, crying and sleep disorders and psychological symptoms, such as frustration, impotence and guilt, as well as organizational implications, mainly related to withdrawal and abandonment of employment. Considering that the work context may influence the experience of morally problematic situations, the objective of these study was to analyze the phenomenon of moral distress among nurses in Brazil and in Portugal. It is a methodological research for development, searching for evidence of validity and refinement of a research instrument. The research started with the analysis of 38 studies for the construction of a scale to identify risk factors for moral distress. The search for evidence of validity included an analysis of judges, for content validation, and an exploratory factorial analysis, for construct validation, with a sample of 268 Brazilian nurses and 278 Portuguese nurses. The result was a scale with evidence of validity, Cronbachs Alpha of 0,913 and 0,790, Kaiser-Meyer Olkin test of 0,869 and 0,914 and a significant Bartlett (p <0,001). About 59,8% of the variance was explained by 30 items, divided into seven factors in the Brazilian version, and about 53,9% of the variance was explained by 20 items, divided into four factors in the Portuguese version. The experience of risk factors for moral distress was considered moderate in Brazil and low in Portugal. The variables that showed a significant association with the highest risk for moral distress in both countries were the type of work context, the hours of work, being in moral distress and having the intention to leave the current job. Research in the field of moral distress can, among other things, help in identifying the challenges and difficulties that most concern nurses in their work context. In order to contribute to the development of coping strategies and to improve professional retention and satisfaction, researches about moral distress may positively reflect on the quality of care.

This thesis explores the concept of moral distress in the context of decision-making. Several factors complicate the decision-making process in the clinical context. One such factor is moral distress. According to its original conceptualization, moral distress is experienced when the course of action is known, but its realization is limited or prevented by constraints, i.e., institutional, financial, or organizational. Much of the conceptual and empirical research on moral distress addresses this conceptualization, which leads to the recommendation to better conceptualize or understand moral distress. This thesis presents an analysis of the function of the concept, thus identifying what the empirical and conceptual literature provides as a working definition of moral distress. To this end, the identification of the function of the concept will serve as a starting point to better understand the variety and the richness of the concept of moral distress. / Ce mémoire explore le concept de la détresse morale dans le contexte de la prise de décision clinique. Plusieurs facteurs compliquent le processus de prise de décision dans le contexte clinique. Un tel facteur est la détresse morale. Selon sa conceptualisation originale, la détresse morale est ressentie lorsque la démarche à suivre est connue, mais sa réalisation est limitée ou empêchée par des contraintes, p.ex. institutionnelles, financières, organisationnelles. Une grande proportion de la recherche conceptuelle et empirique se penche sur cette conceptualisation qui aboutit à la recommandation de mieux conceptualiser ou comprendre la détresse morale. Ce mémoire présente une analyse de la fonction du concept, donc d’identifier ce que la littérature empirique et conceptuelle fournit comme définition pratique de la détresse morale. L’indentification de la définition fonctionnelle du concept servira donc comme point de départ pour mieux comprendre la richesse et la portée des connaissances sur la détresse morale.

This Master's thesis analyzes the subject of moral distress of Czech primary school teachers. It is divided into two parts. The first theoretical part clarifies key concepts and terms of ethics in education. Aside from more general terms like ethics, morals, and stress, it also covers crucial terms like moral distress and critical events. The second, practical part analyzes a qualitative dataset to describe and categorize different forms of moral distress. It records a variety of ways of solving critical situations and their potential influence on the psyche and professional development of educators. The aim of this work is to serve as a base for additional research or as a material for creating strategies to overcome similar situations. KEYWORDS Moral values, ethics, social influences, critical situations, dilemmas, moral distress, stress

Background: Ethical dilemmas are present in all areas of healthcare and arise particularly when working with patients. When a nurse has to act in contrast to what they consider to be morally correct they risk developing moral distress. Moral distress can lead to mental health problems, burnout or even a career change. The element of compassion is at the core of nursing and is present during ethical challenges and patient suffering. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate what causes moral distress in nurses.Method: A qualitative literature-review based on 19 articles. Results: The result consists of one overall theme with three main categories and ten subcategories. The overall theme was patient suffering. Main categories were: Organizational causes, internal causes and relational causes. Conclusion: Moral distress in the nursing profession is a complex multi-factored problem. Both organizational and individual-focused solutions need to be implemented to reduce moral distress and there by reduce burnout and mental health problems in nurses. Future research in this area should focus on nurses and how they can better manage and cope with moral stress. / Bakgrund: Etiska dilemman uppkommer inom alla områden inom hälso- och sjukvård, i synnerhet vid patientarbete. När sjuksköterskan måste agera mot sina egna moraliska värderingar riskerar hen att drabbas av moralisk stress. Moralisk stress kan leda till psykisk ohälsa, utmattningssyndrom och karriärbyte. Medkänsla är en grundpelare inom omvårdnad och är närvarande vid etiska utmaningar och vid lindrande av patientens lidande.Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka orsaker till moralisk stress hos sjuksköterskor. Metod: En litteraturstudie med kvalitativ ansats utfördes. Studien baseras på 19 artiklar. Resultat: I resultatet framkom ett övergripande tema samt tre huvudkategorier med tio tillhörande underkategorier. Det övergripande temat var patientens lidande. Huvudkategorierna var: Organisatoriska orsaker, inre orsaker och relationella orsaker. Slutsats: Moralisk stress inom sjuksköterskeyrket är ett komplext och mångfacetterat problem. För att lösa problemet måste både organisatoriska och individbaserade lösningar implementeras, för att därigenom minska utbrändhet och psykisk ohälsa bland sjuksköterskor. Framtida forskning bör fokusera på sjuksköterskan och hur denne bättre kan hantera moralisk stress.

Bakgrund: Sjuksköterskan som arbetar inom den rättspsykiatriska heldygnsvården befinner sig i en position där utmanande situationer och etiska dilemman uppstår. Detta ställer krav på sjuksköterskans etiska kompetens. I de fall sjuksköterskan är hindrad att arbeta enligt sin etiska kompetens kan etisk stress uppstå. Etisk stress kan påverka sjuksköterskans hållbarhet på ett negativt sätt. Syfte: Syftet var att belysa hur sjuksköterskor inom rättspsykiatrisk heldygnsvård värderar sin etiska kompetens, förekomst av etisk stress samt hur detta är kopplat till hållbarhet i yrkeslivet. Metod: En kvantitativ metod användes och ett representativt urval gjordes. Sjuksköterskor inom rättspsykiatrisk heldygnsvård tillfrågades om att fylla i en enkät. Insamlade data omvandlades till deskriptiv och analytisk statistik. Resultat: Medelvärdet för nivå av etisk kompetens var 7,8 av 10 och 4,5 av 10 för etisk stress. En högre skattad etisk kompetens och/eller en lägre skattad etisk stress korrelerade med en högre grad av hållbarhet. En låg skattning av etisk kompetens korrelerade med en högre grad av etisk stress. 63,3% av respondenterna ansåg att den rättspsykiatriska vården ställer högre krav på etisk kompetens än något annat vårdområde. Slutsats: Grad av etisk kompetens och etisk stress påverkar sjuksköterskans yrkesmässiga hållbarhet inom rättspsykiatrisk heldygnsvård. / Background: Nurses in inpatient forensic psychiatry will face challenging situations and ethical dilemmas. These situations require the ability to practice ethical competence. When this ability is somehow inhibited, moral distress can occur. Moral distress may affect the nurse’s sustainability in a negative way. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine nurses’ estimation of their ethical competence, occurrence of moral distress and the impact these had on the work sustainability. Method: A quantitative method was chosen for the study, and a representative selection was made. Nurses in inpatient forensic psychiatry was given a survey. Collected data was transformed into descriptive and analytical statistics. Findings: The mean value of rated ethical competence was 7,8 out of 10, the mean value of rated moral distress was 4,5 out of 10. A higher rated ethical competence and/or lower rating of moral distress correlated with a higher sustainability. A lower rating of ethical competence correlated with a higher rate of moral distress. 63.3% of the respondents considered the inpatient forensic psychiatry as the most demanding care-related working field of all regarding ethical competence. Conclusion: The level of ethical competence and moral distress will affect the work sustainability for nurses in inpatient forensic psychiatry.

Background: Despite a longstanding debate regarding personal choice towards death and dying, MAiD was legalized in Canada on June 17th, 2016. Since its integration into the healthcare system, there has been a dearth of literature surrounding providers’ experience with the procedure. Healthcare providers are uniquely positioned within the context of the MAiD experience. Aim: To explore the experiences of health care providers (nurses and physicians) caring for patients undergoing MAiD as well as to explore the relationships between the concepts, Moral Distress (MD), Professional Quality of Life (Burnout (BU), Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and Compassion Satisfaction (CS)), and Intent to Turnover (TO). Design: This explorative and descriptive cross-sectional study consisted of a self-reported survey that uses both scale items and open-ended questions. Setting/ Participants: The target population included all nurses and physicians who were active members of a targeted Regional MAiD Network practicing within a designated geographical location within Canada. Results: N=38 Questionnaires completed. The averages of our measured constructs include Moral Distress (Composite) x= 2.9 (SD 2.03), Moral Distress (Frequency): x= 1,18 (SD .102), Moral Distress (Intensity): x= 1.61 (SD .28) Burnout: x= 2.08 (SD 0.5), Secondary Traumatic Stress x= 2.22 (SD 0.48), Compassion Satisfaction x= 4.18 (SD 0.43) and Turnover Intent: x= 2.22 (SD 0.77). Significant positive correlations were found between inter-scale constructs of Moral Distress (Composite, Frequency, and Intensity), Moral Distress, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress, and between Burnout and Turnover Intent. Significant negative correlations were also found between Professional Quality of life Inter-Scale constructs of Compassion Satisfaction and Burnout as well as between Compassion Satisfaction and Turnover Intent. Conclusion: MAiD providers in our study expressed feelings of their work being “rewarding” and “deeply satisfying”, further reflective in their below-average rates of Moral Distress, Burnout, Secondary Traumatic Stress, Turnover Intent, and higher-than-average rates of Compassion Satisfaction. Although the procedure remains controversial, these participants expressed enjoying their work. These reported positive aspects of their roles persisted despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic presented.

Introdução: Apesar de o conceito de sofrimento moral ter sido definido há mais de 30 anos, existe uma variedade de definições sobre o conceito e não há consenso sobre as principais características do fenômeno. Embora essa variação seja comum quando os conceitos são inicialmente explorados, tal variabilidade dificulta substancialmente a construção de um corpo coerente de conhecimento. Objetivo: Desenvolver o conceito de sofrimento moral nas situações de final de vida em unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica (UTIp) e identificar antecedentes, atributos e consequências do fenômeno. Método: O Modelo Híbrido de Desenvolvimento de Conceitos foi aplicado em suas três fases: Teórica, de Campo e Analítica Final. Na Fase Teórica, foram analisados 18 estudos que descreveram o sofrimento moral nas situações de final de vida no contexto da UTIp. A Fase de Campo foi conduzida por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com 10 enfermeiros e 9 médicos que trabalham em UTIp. Os dados da Fase de Campo foram analisados utilizando-se os resultados da Fase Teórica como eixo teórico e a Análise Temática como referencial metodológico. Na Fase Analítica Final, os resultados das fases Teórica e de Campo foram comparados, analisados e integrados, permitindo chegar a uma definição do conceito. Resultados: Os dados evidenciam que sofrimento moral nas situações de final de vida em UTIp é o profissional sentir-se incapaz para agir, realizar ações que esse profissional percebe como inadequadas e manifestar alterações emocionais diante das metas irreais impostas pelas suas crenças e conflitos internos. O sofrimento moral pode ter consequências negativas, como o desejo de abandonar a profissão, e/ou positivas, como criar estratégias de enfrentamento que repercutem na vida pessoal e laborativa do profissional. Considerações finais: A abordagem híbrida ofereceu avanço na exploração do conceito de sofrimento moral nas situações de final de vida em UTIp, ao investigar o fenômeno na prática clínica. Identificar aspectos empíricos de um conceito pessoal, subjetivo e abstrato como o sofrimento moral é um processo complexo. Entretanto, por meio da Fase de Campo, foi possível identificar o componente experiencial que está por trás das condutas dos profissionais ante aos problemas morais nas situações de final de vida em UTIp. Dessa forma, pôde-se compreender como se dá o desenvolvimento do conceito na prática clínica, possibilitando a ampliação dos dados identificados na Fase Teórica. / Introduction: Although the concept of moral suffering has been defined more than 30 years ago, there are a variety of definitions about the concept and there is no consensus on the main features of the phenomenon. Although this variation is common when concepts are first explored, such variability substantially hinders the construction of a coherent body of knowledge. Objective: To develop the concept of moral suffering in end-of-life situations in pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) and to identify antecedents, attributes and consequences of the phenomenon. Method: The Hybrid Concepts Development Model was applied - in its three phases: Theoretical, Field and Final Analytic. In the Theoretical Phase, 18 studies were analyzed that described the moral suffering in the situations of end of life in the context of the PICU. The Field Phase was conducted through semi-structured interviews, with ten nurses and nine physicians working in the PICU. The data of the Field Phase were analyzed using the results of the Theoretical Phase as theoretical axis and the Thematic Analysis as a methodological reference. In the Final Analytical Phase, the results of the Theoretical and Field phases were compared, analyzed and integrated, allowing a definition of the concept. Results: The data show that moral suffering in end-of-life situations in the ICU is the professional feeling unable to act, to perform actions that the professional perceives as inadequate and to manifest emotional changes in the face of the unrealistic goals imposed by their internal beliefs and conflicts. Moral suffering can have negative consequences, such as the desire to leave the profession, and / or positive, such as creating coping strategies - that have repercussions on the professional and personal life of the professional. Final considerations: The hybrid approach offered an advance in the exploration of the concept of moral suffering in end-of-life situations in the PICU, when investigating the phenomenon in clinical practice. Identifying empirical aspects of a personal, subjective, abstract concept such as moral suffering is a complex process. However, through the Field Phase, it was possible to identify the experiential component that is behind the behavior of professionals before the moral problems in end-of-life situations in the PICU. In this way, it was possible to understand how the concept develops in clinical practice, allowing the amplification of the data identified in the Theoretical Phase.

Studien syftar till att undersöka erfarenheter som handläggare av personlig assistans har av att arbeta i en kontext som är föränderlig till följd av rättspraxis och Försäkringskassans tolkning och tillämpning av den. Studien syftar även till att undersöka de konsekvenser som detta medför för LSS-handläggarna i deras yrkesutövning och vilka konsekvenser som de anser att det fått för brukarna. För att uppnå syftet har semistrukturerade intervjuer använts som datainsamlingsmetod. Den teoretiska ansatsen har bestått av Michael Lipskys teori om gräsrotsbyråkrater och handlingsutrymme och Andrew Jametons koncept om etisk stress.  En bearbetning av empirin har genomförts i enlighet med tematisk analys. Olika krav och svårigheter har uppstått för LSS-handläggarna i deras yrkesutövning, såsom konflikt mellan deras professionella värderingar och den institutionella kontexten och att kunna bemöta brukare i oro och kris. Handläggarna är genomgående kritiska till Försäkringskassans restriktiva och detaljstyrda tolkning och tillämpning av den rättspraxis som ska vara styrande för dem båda. Vissa grupper av brukare har som konsekvens av förändrad rättspraxis och Försäkringskassans tolkning och tillämpning av den i stort sett uteslutits från rätten till personlig assistans. I diskussionen förs resonemang om LSS-handläggarnas yrkeskompetens, deras handlingsutrymme och etisk stress samt detaljstyrningens påverkan och konsekvenser för brukarna. / The purpose of the following study is to investigate the experiences that social workers have of working in a context that is changing with precedents and the Swedish social insurance agency's, Försäkringskassan’s, interpretation and application of them. The purpose is further to explore the consequences this has for LSS-administrators in their work and for their clients. In order to achieve this aim semi structured interviews has been used as a data collection method. The theoretical approach consists of Michael Lipsky's theory of grassroots bureaucrats and discretion as well as Andrew Jameton's concept of moral distress. The data has been processed in accordance of thematic analysis. Difficulties has emerged for LSS-administrators in their work, such as conflict between their professional values and the institutional context and meeting most anxious clients in crisis. The LSS-administrators are critical of Försäkringskassan’s restrictive and detailed interpretation and application of precedents. Some groups of clients have as a consequence of changed jurisprudence and Försäkringskassan’s interpretation and application of it more or less been excluded from the right to personal assistance.   We discuss the LSS-administrators professional competence, their discretion and ethical stress as well as the consequences detailed interpretation has for the clients.

Introdução: Apesar de o conceito de sofrimento moral ter sido definido há mais de 30 anos, existe uma variedade de definições sobre o conceito e não há consenso sobre as principais características do fenômeno. Embora essa variação seja comum quando os conceitos são inicialmente explorados, tal variabilidade dificulta substancialmente a construção de um corpo coerente de conhecimento. Objetivo: Desenvolver o conceito de sofrimento moral nas situações de final de vida em unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica (UTIp) e identificar antecedentes, atributos e consequências do fenômeno. Método: O Modelo Híbrido de Desenvolvimento de Conceitos foi aplicado em suas três fases: Teórica, de Campo e Analítica Final. Na Fase Teórica, foram analisados 18 estudos que descreveram o sofrimento moral nas situações de final de vida no contexto da UTIp. A Fase de Campo foi conduzida por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com 10 enfermeiros e 9 médicos que trabalham em UTIp. Os dados da Fase de Campo foram analisados utilizando-se os resultados da Fase Teórica como eixo teórico e a Análise Temática como referencial metodológico. Na Fase Analítica Final, os resultados das fases Teórica e de Campo foram comparados, analisados e integrados, permitindo chegar a uma definição do conceito. Resultados: Os dados evidenciam que sofrimento moral nas situações de final de vida em UTIp é o profissional sentir-se incapaz para agir, realizar ações que esse profissional percebe como inadequadas e manifestar alterações emocionais diante das metas irreais impostas pelas suas crenças e conflitos internos. O sofrimento moral pode ter consequências negativas, como o desejo de abandonar a profissão, e/ou positivas, como criar estratégias de enfrentamento que repercutem na vida pessoal e laborativa do profissional. Considerações finais: A abordagem híbrida ofereceu avanço na exploração do conceito de sofrimento moral nas situações de final de vida em UTIp, ao investigar o fenômeno na prática clínica. Identificar aspectos empíricos de um conceito pessoal, subjetivo e abstrato como o sofrimento moral é um processo complexo. Entretanto, por meio da Fase de Campo, foi possível identificar o componente experiencial que está por trás das condutas dos profissionais ante aos problemas morais nas situações de final de vida em UTIp. Dessa forma, pôde-se compreender como se dá o desenvolvimento do conceito na prática clínica, possibilitando a ampliação dos dados identificados na Fase Teórica. / Introduction: Although the concept of moral suffering has been defined more than 30 years ago, there are a variety of definitions about the concept and there is no consensus on the main features of the phenomenon. Although this variation is common when concepts are first explored, such variability substantially hinders the construction of a coherent body of knowledge. Objective: To develop the concept of moral suffering in end-of-life situations in pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) and to identify antecedents, attributes and consequences of the phenomenon. Method: The Hybrid Concepts Development Model was applied - in its three phases: Theoretical, Field and Final Analytic. In the Theoretical Phase, 18 studies were analyzed that described the moral suffering in the situations of end of life in the context of the PICU. The Field Phase was conducted through semi-structured interviews, with ten nurses and nine physicians working in the PICU. The data of the Field Phase were analyzed using the results of the Theoretical Phase as theoretical axis and the Thematic Analysis as a methodological reference. In the Final Analytical Phase, the results of the Theoretical and Field phases were compared, analyzed and integrated, allowing a definition of the concept. Results: The data show that moral suffering in end-of-life situations in the ICU is the professional feeling unable to act, to perform actions that the professional perceives as inadequate and to manifest emotional changes in the face of the unrealistic goals imposed by their internal beliefs and conflicts. Moral suffering can have negative consequences, such as the desire to leave the profession, and / or positive, such as creating coping strategies - that have repercussions on the professional and personal life of the professional. Final considerations: The hybrid approach offered an advance in the exploration of the concept of moral suffering in end-of-life situations in the PICU, when investigating the phenomenon in clinical practice. Identifying empirical aspects of a personal, subjective, abstract concept such as moral suffering is a complex process. However, through the Field Phase, it was possible to identify the experiential component that is behind the behavior of professionals before the moral problems in end-of-life situations in the PICU. In this way, it was possible to understand how the concept develops in clinical practice, allowing the amplification of the data identified in the Theoretical Phase.

La détresse morale est un phénomène observé en premier chez les infirmières . Dans le cadre de ce mémoire, la définition utilisée est celle de Morley et al. (2019, p. 3) d’« un lien causal entre l’expérience d’un événement moral et d’une détresse psychologique » [traduction libre]. La détresse morale peut entraîner plusieurs conséquences psychologiques, physiques et organisationnelles. La COVID-19 exacerbe et ajoute des éléments contraignants contribuant à la détresse morale des infirmières des unités des soins intensifs (USI). Le cadre de référence est la typologie de la détresse morale écrite par Morley, Sese et al. (2020). Le but vise à mieux comprendre l’expérience de la détresse morale vécue par les infirmières d’une USI adulte durant la pandémie de la COVID-19. Un devis qualitatif d’ethnographie ciblée de Bourbonnais (2015) est utilisé. Les méthodes de collectes de données sont des observations accompagnées de notes de terrain, des échanges informels avec des informateurs généraux, des entretiens semi-structurés et des questionnaires sociodémographiques auprès d’informateurs clés et un journal réflexif. La méthode d’analyse de données est celle de comparaison constante de Côté et al. (2020). Huit informateurs clés âgés de 26 à 50 ans ont participé. Quatre thèmes principaux en ressortent : temporalité, facteurs influençant, détresse morale ainsi que les besoins de formation à l’expérience et la détresse des infirmières. Les résultats de cette étude ont plusieurs retombées pour la discipline infirmière dont la formation, pratique, gestion, recherche et politique. / Moral distress is a phenomenon that was first observed in nurses. The definition used in this thesis is provided by Morley et al. (2019, p. 3) who define moral distress as "a causal link between the experience of a moral event and psychological distress." Moral distress can lead to several psychological, physical, and organizational consequences. COVID-19 exacerbates and adds to the constraining elements contributing to moral distress in intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. The framework of this thesis is the typology of moral distress written by Morley, Sese et al. (2020). The purpose is to better understand the experience of moral distress by nurses in an adult ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic. To accomplish this, a qualitative focused ethnography design from Bourbonnais (2015) is used. The data collection methods are observations with field notes, informal exchanges with general informants, semi-structured interviews and sociodemographic questionnaires with key informants, and a reflective journal. The method of data analysis is the constant comparison method of Côté et al. (2020). Eight key informants between the ages of 26 and 50 participated. Four main themes emerged: temporality, influencing factors, moral distress, , and the need for education about nurses' experience and distress. The results of this study have several implications for the nursing discipline including education, practice, management, research and policy.