Problem: Moral Injury Among Nurses Lacks Support
The effects of the psychological trauma, or moral injury, nursing professionals face impact everything from job satisfaction to patient care to the nurse’s personal health and well-being. Moral injury can stem from frequent exposure to patient suffering, inadequate or unenforced institutional policies, and poor leadership, among others. In an industry already facing staffing shortfalls, the impact moral injury has on performance and turnover can be devastating if not acknowledged and addressed.
Solution: Develop an Illustrated E-book to Spread Awareness
The George Washington University conducted interviews with nursing professionals across a variety of roles, who have direct experience with moral injury. Diffusion Studios took these stories and transcribed, professionally narrated, illustrated, and compiled them within an engaging digital book as a qualitative translation of research findings for a general audience. In addition, supportive promotion of the book was done, including a joint webinar with GWU staff, to spread awareness and to keep the conversation going.
Results: Nurses’ Stories Shared to Inspire Change
The book has been shared online and at conferences to encourage dialogue among educators, health system leaders, and practicing nurses. Social media and website metrics are tracked by GWU to determine how the storybook is being accessed and used. Showcasing the voices of nurses in such a work empowers others to also share their experiences and advocate for meaningful change.
Regarding their experience working with Diffusion Studios, GWU shared:
“[Diffusion Studios] kept the project moving forward, listened attentively to our requests, and ensured that the final product was exactly what we wanted. I feel like we came away with an innovative, high-quality product.”
– L. Muñoz, Research Scientist, George Washington University’s Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity
Diffusion Studios was honored to receive the 2025 Social Impact Award from the Association of Medical Illustrators for their work on this project.
Learn more about the meaningful, award-winning Moral Injury Among Nurses project here:
Key Takeaways
- Moral injury impacts nurses’ job satisfaction, well-being, and turnover.
- Diffusion Studios created a narrated, illustrated digital e-book sharing nurses’ stories.
- The e-book promotes dialogue among healthcare leaders and educators.
- Sharing these stories empowers nurses and encourages meaningful change.
- Diffusion Studios received an award from the Association of Medical Illustrators.
Sources
- Foli, K., et al. Nurses’ psychological trauma: “They leave me lying awake at night”. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing. Volume 34, Issue 3, June 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2020.04.011
- https://www.gwhwi.org/moralinjury.html
- https://indd.adobe.com/embed/ad9b4cb3-dae3-44e7-8a35-f1132d8b8b40?startpage=1&allowFullscreen=true