THE UNIQUENESS OF CARE: NURSES STORIES OF PROVIDING PALLIATIVE CARE

Authors

  • Petra Brysiewicz
  • L Campbell

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/271

Abstract

Background: Palliative care involves caring for patients who face an illness which may shorten or profoundly limit their quality of life. Providing palliative care is complex as it must be reactive and individualized.

Purpose: To explore the experiences of nurses in providing palliative care to clients in a hospice.

Methods: This qualitative research study used narrative theory to conduct unstructured individual interviews with 3 participants (hospice nurses) over a three month period. The study took place at two purposively selected hospice sites as an inclusion criterion was that potential participants had to be trained in palliative care and pain management in cancer and have at least one years working experience in the area.

Findings: The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. There were three themes that emerged from the data namely; “this Morphine storyâ€, celebrating living and “there are no rulesâ€.

Conclusions: Understanding the nurses` experiences of providing palliative care can facilitate insight into the uniqueness of palliative care. The narratives uncovered in this study may be used to guide nurses around providing comprehensive complicated and complex care for terminally ill clients.

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Published

2016-03-23

How to Cite

Brysiewicz, Petra, and L Campbell. 2015. “THE UNIQUENESS OF CARE: NURSES STORIES OF PROVIDING PALLIATIVE CARE”. Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery 17 (S):S180-S190. https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/271.
Received 2015-06-18
Accepted 2015-10-27
Published 2016-03-23