Nurses' Challenges in End-Of-Life Care: Aesthetic Expression of Lived Worlds

When providing end-of-life care, nurses are faced with challenges related to the dying process. Aesthetic concepts exert a more profound influence than empirical evidence or logical reasoning. However, while the aesthetic aspect in end-of-life care demonstrates the inherent beauty of nursing, there are few manifestations of aesthetics to express the professional challenges in end-of-life care as experienced by nurses.

This study aimed to investigate and elucidate the lived experiences of the professional challenges encountered by nurses in end-of-life care.

A hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study was employed.

This study was conducted from September to December 2023 in China. The purposive sampling method was used to recruit ten registered hospice nurses engaged in end-of-life care in a hospital. Data collection involved 'Storytelling and Drawing Technique' followed by focus group discussion. van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used in the data analysis.

Essential themes were grouped based on existential themes of van Manen's four lived worlds, delineating: (1) Lived body: insufficient comprehension depth; (2) Lived space: unfavourable ambiance within the ward setting; (3) Lived time: negative impact of traditional culture; and (4) Lived human relations: intricacies inherent in decision-making dynamics.

After understanding the challenges of nurses in end-of-life care reflected by aesthetic expressions, proactive steps can be taken to address these issues and thereby facilitate a positive transformation.

The authors have adhered to Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research(COREQ) Standards.

No patient or public contribution.