Journal List > Asian Oncol Nurs > v.15(4) > 1081852

Kwon, Tae, Hong, and Choi: Hospice Palliative Nurses' Experience of Caring for Terminal Cancer Patients

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe hospice palliative nurses' experience of caring for terminal cancer patients.

Methods

Eleven hospice palliative nurses participated in the study. Data were collected through individual in-depth unstructured interviews with participants from November, 2012 to October, 2013. Theoretical sampling was used to the point of theoretical saturation. Data were analyzed using Corbin and Strauss' 'Grounded Theory Method.'

Results

From open coding, 25 sub-categories and 12 categories were identified. Analysis revealed that the core category was 'becoming stepping-stones between life and death enduring burdens', consisting of three phases: the phase of withdrawal, the phase of exertion, and the phase of maturity. Through this process, participants utilized various action/interactional strategies such as 'maintaining a distance', 'sharing intimate daily life', 'being a mediator for a peaceful death', 'grieving and remembering'. The consequences of these strategies were a transcendental perspective towards life and ambivalent feelings toward hospice nursing.

Conclusion

In-depth understanding of the hospice palliative nurses' experience of caring for terminal cancer patients will guide nurse managers and policy makers to promote effective nursing strategies to better support hospice palliative nurses.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

The Process of Becoming Stepping-Stones between Life and Death Enduring Burdens.

aon-15-264-g001
Table 1

Relationships among Categories using Paradigm Model

aon-15-264-i001
Subcategory Category Paradigm element
Hospice work which was started unprepared Vaguely started hospice nursing Causal condition
Repeated dying situations Gushing situations of dying patients
Unexpected dying situations
Too much burden of physical care Heavy burden of helping the completion of life Central phenomenon
Difficulties for caring according to the types of cancer
Emotional distress
Conflicts in relationships
Handling in a businesslike way Maintaining a distance Action/interactional strategy
Drawing a line of emotion
Going nearer Sharing intimate daily life
Sharing daily life like family
Granting wishes
Hanging on to symptom management Being a mediator for a peaceful death
Providing spiritual care
Mediating relationships
Grieving and missing Grieving and remembering
Supporting Bereaved family
Positive perspective change regarding death Transcendental perspective towards life Consequence
Growing self as different than before
Rewarded feeling from true nursing practice Ambivalent feelings towards hospice nursing
Feeling skeptical about work world
Strength from faith Inner strength Contextual condition
Personal character
Supportive colleagues Supporting system Intervening condition
Building rapport with patients Relationship with patients

Notes

This study was supported by the research fund of Kosin University in 2014.

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