Caring for the dying: nurses' experiences in hospice care

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Palliative Care
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Hospice nursing involves complex emotional and psychological demands.
• Understanding nurses' lived experiences is crucial for effective palliative care.
• Previous research has not fully explored the transformative aspects of caring for the dying.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of nurses caring for dying patients in a hospice setting.
• To identify the major themes and challenges faced by these nurses.
• To understand the impact of caring for the dying on nurses' personal and professional lives.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological study utilizing in-depth interviews.
• Nine experienced hospice nurses from Western Australia participated.
• Colaizzi's method was used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Nurses reported personal transformation through caring for dying patients.
• The hospice environment significantly influenced the nature of care provided.
• Caring extended beyond patients to include their families, requiring specific coping strategies.

Conclusions:

• Awareness of the impact of care on patients, families, and self is essential for nurse well-being.
• Nurses' self-maintenance and ability to facilitate patient choices are linked to this awareness.
• Further research on the role of caring contexts in patient comfort and end-of-life preparation is recommended.