J Korean Acad Nurs Adm.  2025 Jan;31(1):36-44. 10.11111/jkana.2025.31.1.36.

Influence of Nurses' Moral Distress and Ethical Nursing Competence on Retention Intention

• Choi JH
• Byun MJ
• Do TN

• KMID: 2566080
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11111/jkana.2025.31.1.36

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to ascertain the influence of moral distress and ethical nursing competence on retention intention among nurses.
Methods
Participants included 191 nurses working in general hospitals. Data were collected from July 11 to 18, 2023 and analyzed using SPSS/WIN 23.0.
Results
Factors Influencing retention intention were clinical experience in the present department (β=.22, t=3.20, p=.002), moral distress (β=-.22, t=-3.15, p=.002) and ethical nursing competence (β=.26, t=3.82, p<.001). These variables accounted for 19.7% of nurses' retention intentions.
Conclusion
Based on our findings, it is necessary to identify interventions aimed at alleviating moral distress, and establish and implement systematic programs to improve ethical nursing competence in order to increase the retention intention of nurses.

Keyword

Nurse; Moral; Ethics; Intention; Nursing