Nurses’ Lived Experiences Following End-of-Life Care: A Hermeneutic Study from a North Central State, Nigeria
Dublin Core
Title
Nurses’ Lived Experiences Following End-of-Life Care: A Hermeneutic Study from a North Central State, Nigeria
Subject
hermeneutic phenomenology;
Nigeria; nurses’ lived experiences;
pediatric nursing
Nigeria; nurses’ lived experiences;
pediatric nursing
Description
Background: Death is a common occurrence in nursing practice, and nurses are
expected to provide professional and sensitive care to families, which can be
psychologically demanding. However, there is a paucity of studies describing the
experiences of nurses dealing with pediatric end-of-life (EOL) care and death.
Purpose: This study explored nurses’ lived experiences following EOL care among
pediatric nurses working in two selected hospitals in Nigeria.
Methods: A hermeneutic qualitative design was adopted to describe and interpret
participants’ experiences. Twenty-one nurses were purposively selected from
pediatric wards. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews
and analyzed using ATLAS.ti with thematic analysis.
Results: Five themes emerged: (1) EOL care training during nursing education, (2)
experiences of EOL care as a practicing nurse, (3) perceived contributing factors to
child death, (4) nurses’ roles in supporting families after child loss, and (5) coping
strategies for managing grief after pediatric patient death. The findings revealed that
nurses are affected by the death of a child regardless of years of experience. Limited
knowledge of EOL care negatively influenced their coping abilities. Nurses
considered open grieving unprofessional, with the primary coping strategy being
increased commitment to work.
Conclusion: The study concluded that years of work experience do not
significantly influence nurses’ lived experiences of pediatric patient death. Limited
knowledge of EOL care strongly shapes their perspectives on death, dying, and
grieving. Grieving is perceived as unprofessional, while dedication to work serves as
the preferred coping mechanism. Mandatory training on EOL nursing care and the
provision of institutional guidelines are recommended.
expected to provide professional and sensitive care to families, which can be
psychologically demanding. However, there is a paucity of studies describing the
experiences of nurses dealing with pediatric end-of-life (EOL) care and death.
Purpose: This study explored nurses’ lived experiences following EOL care among
pediatric nurses working in two selected hospitals in Nigeria.
Methods: A hermeneutic qualitative design was adopted to describe and interpret
participants’ experiences. Twenty-one nurses were purposively selected from
pediatric wards. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews
and analyzed using ATLAS.ti with thematic analysis.
Results: Five themes emerged: (1) EOL care training during nursing education, (2)
experiences of EOL care as a practicing nurse, (3) perceived contributing factors to
child death, (4) nurses’ roles in supporting families after child loss, and (5) coping
strategies for managing grief after pediatric patient death. The findings revealed that
nurses are affected by the death of a child regardless of years of experience. Limited
knowledge of EOL care negatively influenced their coping abilities. Nurses
considered open grieving unprofessional, with the primary coping strategy being
increased commitment to work.
Conclusion: The study concluded that years of work experience do not
significantly influence nurses’ lived experiences of pediatric patient death. Limited
knowledge of EOL care strongly shapes their perspectives on death, dying, and
grieving. Grieving is perceived as unprofessional, while dedication to work serves as
the preferred coping mechanism. Mandatory training on EOL nursing care and the
provision of institutional guidelines are recommended.
Creator
Olufemi Oyebanji Oyediran1
, Kofoworola Ebunoluwa Ishola2, Emmanuel Olufemi Ayandiran1
,
Idowu Matthew Olatubi3
, Kofoworola Ebunoluwa Ishola2, Emmanuel Olufemi Ayandiran1
,
Idowu Matthew Olatubi3
Source
https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v15i2.63330
Date
9 August 2025
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Olufemi Oyebanji Oyediran1
, Kofoworola Ebunoluwa Ishola2, Emmanuel Olufemi Ayandiran1
,
Idowu Matthew Olatubi3, “Nurses’ Lived Experiences Following End-of-Life Care: A Hermeneutic Study from a North Central State, Nigeria,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11327.