Self-described nursing roles experienced during care of dying patients and their families: a phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND Critical care nurses frequently care for dying patients and their families. Little is known about the roles experienced and perceived by bedside nurses as they care for dying patients and their families. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of critical care nurses and to understand their perceptions of activities and roles that they performed while caring for patients and families during the transition from aggressive life-saving care to palliative and end-of-life care. METHODS A descriptive, phenomenological study was conducted and a purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit 19 critical care nurses with experience caring for dying patients and their families. Individual interviews were conducted and audio-recorded. Coliazzi's method of data analysis was utilised to inductively determine themes, clusters and categories. Data saturation was achieved and methodological rigour was established. RESULTS Categories that evolved from the data included educating the family, advocating for the patient, encouraging and supporting family presence, managing symptoms, protecting families and creating positive memories and family support. Participants also identified the importance of teaching and mentoring novice clinicians. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study have important implications for clinical practice, education and research for optimal preparation in providing end-of-life care.