Caring for patients in the end-of-life from the perspective of undergraduate nursing students

• Background: Caring for patients in the end-of-life is an emotionally and physically challenging task. Therefore, undergraduate nursing students (UNS) need opportunities to learn to care for the dying patient. This study aimed to describe UNS' experiences of caring for patients at end-of-life. Methods: Interviews with 16 UNS in their last semester of nursing education were conducted. Data were analyzed with a phenomenological approach. Results: The UNS created a professional relationship with the dying patient. It meant that when the patient was unable to speak for themselves, the UNS could still meet his/her wishes and needs. The UNS believed they could take responsibility for the patient who was no longer able to take responsibility for themselves. Meeting with the patient's family could be experienced with anxiousness but was dependent on the personal chemistry between the patient's family and the UNS. Conclusion: The UNS creates a relationship with the patient and their family. To be knowledgeable about the patient's physical and psychosocial needs means that the UNS can support the patient in the end-of-life phase. Being close to the patient and the family results in an intensity of emotions in the care situation. The UNS can receive support from their colleagues during processing their emotions and creating an experience from their encounters with patients in end-of-life care.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

end-of-life care

nursing education

undergraduate nursing student

adult

anxiety

article

care behavior

clinical article

dying

female

human

interview

male

nursing student

responsibility

terminal care

Nursing Science

Omvårdnad

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)