Moral Injury, Nurse Well-being, and Resilience Among Nurses Practicing During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine relationships between moral injury (MI), well-being, and resilience among staff nurses and nurse leaders practicing during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.

Background: Attention to MI among health professionals, including nurses, increased in 2021, particularly related to the pandemic. Few studies examined MI, well-being, and resilience; even fewer provided implications for leadership/management.

Methods: The sample included 676 RNs practicing in Ohio. The electronic survey included assessments of MI, well-being, and resilience distributed via the Ohio Nurses Association and the schools of nursing alumni Listservs.

Results: There was a significant association between MI and negative well-being and negative association between MI and resilience. Differences were observed between staff nurses and leaders.

Conclusions: This is the first study relating MI, resilience, and well-bring among nurses and nurse leaders during the pandemic. There is a need for additional research to further our understanding about nurses' health and well-being during the pandemic and beyond.