To be involved — A qualitative study of nurses' experiences of caring for dying patients

• Preparation is necessary for learning about processes regarding the appropriate mind-set and prioritisation of caring options at the end of life
• Coaching improves the quality of palliative care within surgical wards and facilitates transition processes
• Skills within palliative care develop during caring processes, and nurses are supportive, frustrated and sensitive during the transition

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe nurses' experiences (> two years) of caring for dying patients in surgical wards.BackgroundPalliative care is included in education for nurses. However, the training content varies, and nurse educators need to be committed to the curriculum regarding end-of-life situations. A lack of preparation among newly graduated nurses regarding dying and death could lead to anxiety, stress and burnout. Therefore, it is important to improve knowledge regarding end-of-life situations.Setting, Participants and MethodA qualitative descriptive study was carried out in two surgical wards in the southern part of Sweden. The study comprised six interviews with registered nurses and was analysed using manifest qualitative content analysis, a qualitative method that involves an inductive approach, to increase our understanding of nurses' perspectives and thoughts regarding dying patients.ResultsThe results formed one category (caring—to be involved) and three subcategories (being supportive, being frustrated and being sensitive in the caring processes). Nurses were personally affected and felt unprepared to face dying patients due to a lack of knowledge about the field of palliative care. Their experiences could be described as processes of transition from theory to practice by trial and error.ConclusionSupervision is a valuable tool for bridging the gap between theory and practice in nursing during the transition from novice to expert. Improved knowledge about palliative care during nursing education and committed nursing leadership at the ward level facilitate preparation for end-of-life situations.