https://www.mdu.se/

Background: Nurses often face ethical difficulties in their profession. In order for ethical decision-making to be implemented in the best possible way, ethical competence and support is needed in these decisions. Discussing basic values and experiences of ethical difficulties can provide broader competence and give health care professionals a greater understanding of each other's experiences. Nurses face stressful situations and are involved in critical decision-making for patients. Aim: To describe ethically difficult situations that nurses encounter in the care profession. Method: Systematic literature study with descriptive synthesis based on ten qualitative articles. Results: The analysis revealed two themes: Organizational shortcomings and difficulties in conducting good care. Furthermore, four sub-themes emerged: Lack of support from management, lack of resources in the workplace, difficulties in satisfying patients' rights and difficulties in maintaining good care. Conclusion: That the nurses in connection with ethical difficulties often experience feelings of powerlessness that were based on the influence of organizational shortcomings and difficulties in conducting good care. Lack of resources affects both nurses and patients on several levels. Lack of time and lack of staff were particularly prominent factors where both patients 'and nurses' experiences were consistent with each other.