Moral Competence on Missed Nursing Care among Clinical Nurses in a Level 2 Government Hospital

Abstract

This study determined the level of moral competence and the extent of missed nursing care among clinical nurses in a Level II government hospital and examined their relationship with selected demographic characteristics. A descriptive–correlational design was used involving 205 clinical nurses through complete enumeration, utilizing the Moral Competence Questionnaire (MCQ) and the MISSCARE Survey, with data analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Pearson r. Results showed that nurses had a high level of moral competence and a very low frequency of missed nursing care, although organizational factors such as staffing, resources, and communication contributed to missed care. Demographic characteristics were significantly related to moral competence and missed nursing care, and moral competence was significantly associated with the extent of missed nursing care. The findings emphasize the importance of ethical competence and supportive organizational conditions in maintaining quality nursing care.