Grief resolution in hospice nurses. An exploration of effective methods

Although there is a considerable amount of literature available on grief and grief resolution, the relevance of this information has not been adequately applied to the arena of nursing. A few studies have examined various issues impacting on nurses involved in caring for dying patients, and some have offered recommendations to facilitate grief resolution in nurses. However, these studies have primarily focused on single aspects of the nurse's involvement with dying patients/families (i.e., the nurse-patient relationship), with recommendations for strategies to facilitate grief resolution often emanating from the researchers rather than the nurses themselves. This study explored grief resolution strategies employed by hospice nurses who effectively cope with the deaths of patients. The recurring themes that emerged from the interviews with these nurses can be brought together to form a framework for better understanding of grief resolution among this unique group of individuals. Viewing these strategies in concert with one another provides a more comprehensive, holistic perspective on methods that assist nurses to effectively resolve the deaths of their patients.