End of life care: how nurses can use a compassionate approach

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The reality of death and dying is a central facet of life, often surrounded by feelings of sadness, fear and uncertainty. Nurses have an essential role in caring for people who are approaching the end of life and their families, while being mindful of the current demands and challenges in health and social care services. In this article, the author suggests that being more open to the reality of death as part of life may assist nurses in being more attuned to the personal needs of those who are dying. The article emphasises the importance of considering each person's symptoms and concerns through the lens of compassion to address pain, fear and distress. While the focus is on caring for people who are approaching the end of life, the author asserts that there is much that nurses can learn from those they care for about the beauty of life and the naturalness of death.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages5
JournalNursing Standard
Volume39
Issue number6
Early online date28 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 05 Jun 2024

Keywords

  • palliative care
  • compassionate care
  • United Kingdom
  • compassion
  • patient experience
  • Empathy
  • professional issues
  • Nurse's Role - psychology
  • Humans
  • clinical
  • Terminal Care - psychology - methods
  • professional
  • end of life care
  • patients
  • Nurse-Patient Relations
  • Attitude to Death

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