‘Moral distress’ is described by Jameton as ‘...aris[ing] when one knows the right thing to do, but institutional constraints make it nearly impossible to pursue the right course of action’ (p. 6).2

Moral distress may cause nurses to question their career choice, and to feel disempowered and unhappy in their work. This may have a negative impact on the physical and mental well-being of nursing staff, leading to burnout and high staff turnover.

Nurses in the first 5 years of their career (early career nurses) may be particularly at risk of experiencing moral distress as they make the stressful and challenging transition from student to qualified practice.

The purpose of the review is to synthesise the literature regarding moral distress in the first 5 years of qualified practice.