The mediating role of ethical leadership on professional commitment and moral sensitivity in the control of blood pressure by intensive care unit (ICU) nurses

Introduction & Background: Correct decision-making regarding nursing requires sufficient sensitivity to ethical issues, and failure to address ethical issues in care may lead to ignoring the principles and ethical values of nursing in providing proper care to patients. The present study investigates the relationship between moral sensitivity and professional commitment of nurses working in ICU departments in controlling patients ' blood pressure, emphasizing the mediating role of ethical leadership of nursing managers in hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The current research is of a descriptive-correlation type. Data collection tools included demographic information form, Brown, Trevino and Harrison ethical leadership questionnaire, Allen Mayer professional commitment questionnaire and Lutzen moral sensitivity questionnaire. Mean (standard deviation) and interval scale were used to describe quantitative data. Pearson ' s correlation coefficient and structural equation model and AMOS software were used for data analysis. Results: There is a positive and significant relationship between professional commitment and ethical leadership in controlling patients ' risk factors such as blood pressure. Also, there is a positive and significant relationship between moral leadership and moral sensitivity. According to the structural equation model, the relationship between professional commitment and moral sensitivity is confirmed with the mediating role of moral leadership in blood pressure control. Conclusion: Based on the results of the research, it can be said that there is a relationship between professional commitment and moral sensitivity of nurses working in ICU departments in blood pressure control, and the ethical leadership of managers plays a mediating role.