Moral distress in neonatal intensive care unit RNs.

Background: Moral distress is a significant problem for nurses (RNs). It has physical, emotional, and psychological sequelae and a negative impact on the quality, quantity, and cost of patient care. Moral distress leads to loss of moral integrity and job dissatisfaction and is a major cause of burnout and RNs leaving the profession.

Neonatal nurse practitioners provide quality, cost-effective care.

Loretta Ford, the pioneer of nurse practitioners, was the recipient of the Crystal Trailblazer Award from the American College of Nurse Practitioners in February 2003. In her acceptance speech, the stated that "in some ways, the profession had expanded beyond my wildest dreams," but cautioned against the medicalization of the NP role: "The profession is rooted in nursing ..