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Exploring Critical Care Nurses' Experiences With Emotional Labor in Palliative Care
Azza Abd Elrazek Baraka1,2,3,4, Ghadah A AlShaikh-Mubarak1,2,3, Eman Arafa Hassan4
1College of Nursing, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
International Nursing Review
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Critical care nurses experience significant emotional labor in palliative care. Support systems, including cultural and institutional resources, are vital for their well-being and to prevent burnout.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Palliative Care
- Emotional Labor
Background:
- Palliative care enhances quality of life for serious illnesses.
- 40%-60% of global patients require palliative care.
- Critical care nurses face emotional demands in complex care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore critical care nurses' lived experiences with emotional labor in palliative care.
- To understand the challenges and coping mechanisms in this specialized nursing field.
Main Methods:
- Interpretive phenomenological analysis.
- Data collected from 10 critical care nurses in Saudi Arabia (September-November 2024).
- Semi-structured interviews guided by emotional work literature, adhering to COREQ checklist.
Main Results:
- Five themes emerged regarding emotional complexity.
- Nurses balance attachment and detachment, influenced by culture and institutions.
- Spirituality, peer support, and personal coping are key; personal growth noted.
Conclusions:
- Critical care nurses require cultural, religious, and familial support for emotional labor.
- Structured respite, support systems, and institutional changes are crucial to prevent burnout.
- Addressing nurses' emotional well-being is essential for sustained, high-quality palliative care.
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