Predicting Missed Nursing Care Based on Moral Sensitivity and Care-Related Factors

Background: Care is one of the essential metaparadigms of nursing. The personal and professional character of the nurse, along with attention to human, financial, and communication factors, can provide an essential part of standard care. Moral sensitivity, as a part of professional ethics, offers responsible and accurate care. Objectives: This study was conducted with the aim of predicting missed nursing care based on moral sensitivity and care-related factors in 2021. Methods: In this cross-sectional-analytical study, 345 nurses working in medical education centers in Ardabil were selected by stratified random sampling from internal, surgical, special care, emergency, and pediatric departments. Data were collected using the modified Lutzen Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, Kalish's Missed Nursing Care, and Blackman's Missed Care Related factors. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 19 with descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (ANOVA, regression, and Pearson). Results: The results of the present study showed that nurses had an average level of moral sensitivity (70.75 +/- 10.83). The mean and standard deviation of missed nursing care were (33.93 +/- 1035), which was less than the median of the questionnaire. The components of moral sensitivity (032) and related factors (0.08) explain missed care. There was a significant relationship between age, work experience, overtime, and second job with missed care (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Identifying influential factors in reducing missed care is crucial in care, education, and management. It can be said that the dimensions of moral sensitivity and related factors such as human, financial, and communication resources are predictors of missed care. Increasing workload and having a second job increase forgetfulness in caregiving. It is suggested to utilize the experiences of nurses with expertise in care, education, and management, in addition to enhancing moral sensitivity, to ensure comprehensive care while reducing overtime and avoiding second jobs.