Veterans Affairs Nurses' Perception of a Dignified Death

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Gerontology
• Palliative Care

Background:

• A dignified death, also termed a good death or dying with dignity, is crucial in end-of-life care.
• Nurses caring for veterans recognize the significance of an honorable death for this population.
• Understanding nurses' perceptions is vital for improving veteran support during the dying process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and compare perceptions of a dignified death among nurses caring for veterans in Veterans Affairs (VA) settings.
• To explore the essential components of a good death as identified by these nurses.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, exploratory study design was employed.
• An online survey was administered to nurses working in VA facilities.
• The survey included validated scales measuring dying with dignity and a good death.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported high to moderately high scores for dying with dignity and a good death.
• Essential elements of a good death identified by nurses included wishes, peace, spirituality, and being pain-free.
• No significant differences in perceptions were found based on nurses' age or end-of-life experience.

Conclusions:

• Veterans Affairs nurses possess a strong, positive perception of a dignified death.
• These perceptions form a foundational understanding for providing comprehensive support to veterans before, during, and after death.
• This study highlights the importance of nurses' perspectives in shaping end-of-life care for veterans.