[Death and dying process: evidences from the literature of nursing]

The objective was to identify the profile of production and analyze perceptions, feelings and confrontations on the process of death and dying in the practice evidenced in nursing scientific production in the period 1994 to 2009. There was a qualitative, descriptive research, developed through a systematic literature review with metasynthesis from the meta-ethnographic method. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, this set was subjected to quality assessment checklist with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Subjects perceive this process as a transition, separation and finitude. This is permeated with feelings of frustration and powerlessness and the most effective interventions to this issue is the development of coping strategies that vary with the reality of each individual.