Educational Needs and Attitudes of Clinical Nurses Providing End-of-Life Care to Patients with Terminal Illness
Publication Title
MEDSURG Nursing
Document Type
Abstract
Publication Date
5-2024
Keywords
sjmc; santa monica; california
Abstract
Background As the prevalence of chronic disease rises, medical-surgical, critical care, and emergency nurses are in a key position as they care for persons in the final stages of terminal illness. Aim Explore how nurses in different care settings perceive their roles in caring for patients approaching end of life (EOL) and actively dying. Methods A descriptive comparative design was used to explore select nurses’ educational needs and attitudes in providing EOL care. Nurses (N=94) participated in an online survey using two psychometrically tested instruments. Descriptive and inferential analyses were done to investigate relationships between instrument scores and participant demographic variables. Results Significant differences were found between medical-surgical and critical care nurses on survey items related to attitude toward care of the dying and in professional caregiver educational needs. Further significant findings were found in relationships between demographic variables and nurse attitude and educational needs in caring for the dying. Limitations and Implications Limitations included sample homogeneity related to gender and employment status, and obstacles in data collection due to survey fatigue related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results suggest a need exists for EOL content unique to the nurse’s specialty area in hospital competencies and required continuing education programs. Conclusion This study provides insight into the growing need for palliative and EOL nursing knowledge and education. Nurses may benefit from EOL education to promote positive attitudes, contributing to optimal care of patients who are actively dying.
Specialty
Nursing
Specialty
Palliative Care
