Expanding nursing perspectives on loss and grieving.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Psychology
• Human Experience

Background:

• Grief and loss are universal human experiences.
• Existing theories on grief lack a comprehensive understanding of its dynamic nature.
• The human-becoming theory offers a framework for understanding lived experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and define the concept of grieving a loss.
• To capture the complex, evolving nature of the grieving process.
• To enhance nursing practice by providing a deeper understanding of grief.

Main Methods:

• Concept invention methodology was employed.
• Extant theoretical knowledge on grief and loss was reviewed.
• Classical literature and human-becoming theory research were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Grieving a loss is characterized by persistence.
• The meaning attributed to the grieving experience continually evolves.
• The nature of grief is indivisible, unpredictable, and ever-changing.

Conclusions:

• Grief is a persistent experience with a continually changing meaning.
• Nurses utilizing the human-becoming theory can better support grieving individuals.
• Recognizing the dynamic nature of grief enhances compassionate care.