End-of-life care: evolution of the nurse's role

To describe nurses' expanded roles during end-of-life patient care considering changing attitudes toward death and the use of increased technology in medical care.

Books, journals, and professional exchange.

Historical and currently changing attitudes toward death and medical technology have led to nurses increased involvement in end-of-life patient care activities.

Nurses assume important roles in the end-of-life care of patients. Their roles, which still are evolving, are influenced by individual patient wishes, attitudinal changes toward death, technologic advances in medical care, and changing laws.

Nurses today do more than merely provide comfort care to dying patients. They also assist patients in making difficult decisions regarding care and making choices regarding death. This expanded nursing role must continue to be recognized, developed, and evaluated in order to provide quality outcomes, even in situations where death is inevitable.