Abstract
The research focus is to investigate the lived experience of moral distress for registered nurses who
care for patients with chronic kidney disease. Incidence of chronic kidney disease is growing in
Canada, and retaining skilled nephrology nurses is essential. As the disease progresses, and the
patient and family suffer losses, the nurse accompanies them on their journey. The concept of
moral distress has been investigated within several areas of nursing but there are few research
studies focusing solely on nephrology. Guided by the philosophy of Husserl with analysis
supported by Giorgi’s method, constituents and essences were rendered from the findings. The
relational ethics theory was used as a structural framework. The purpose of this research is to
extend a voice to nephrology nurses, and contribute to a moral community. The findings from this
research will offer a thematic structure for understanding the lived experience of moral distress for
nephrology nurses.
