Using the AACN framework to alleviate moral distress.

In this article the author describes a situation in which the Nurse Executive's values were in direct opposition to those of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). She describes how it took considerable courage on the part of the Nurse Executive to resolve this situation by demonstrating concern and respect for a chemically impaired staff member, rather than by focusing on the situation from a strictly "right versus wrong" perspective. After describing the situation the author emphasizes the importance of the leadership role of the Nurse Executive and shares the perspective of the agency's Chief Executive Officer.