Nurses' required end-of-life care competence in health centres inpatient ward - a qualitative descriptive study

Studies of nurses' required competence in EOL care in health centres are rare. It is important to produce information about experienced nurses' perceptions of the competence they consider important in their practical work.

The aim of this study was to describe nurses' required competence in EOL care in health centre inpatient wards as experienced by nurses.

A descriptive qualitative study using four semi-structured group interviews (20 nurses) and inductive descriptive content analysis.

Five categories describing nurses' required competence in EOL care in a health centre inpatient ward were identified: (1) ethics and courage in action, (2) support for the patient, (3) support for the family, (4) care planning and (5) physical care. Factors promoting nurses' competence in EOL care comprised two categories: (1) professional development in EOL care and (2) an organisation that supports EOL care.

End-of-life care in health centre inpatient wards requires wide and complex competence from nurses. Nurses' experiences of required competence are associated with holistic care of the patient, encountering the family and multiprofessional cooperation. Nurses' competence in EOL care could be enhanced with postgraduate education, and educational planning should be given more attention in the future.