Den sista vården

: Sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av vård i livets slutskede

Abstract

Background: As a nurse, you will encounter patients in all stages of life, from birth to death. In the final stage of life, when death is considered imminent, palliative care is provided. At this point, care is no longer aimed at curing or preventing death, as in curative care. Instead, palliative care focuses on relieving suffering, promoting quality of life, and ensuring that the patient experiences the most dignified and comfortable end of life possible. Although nurses strive to provide each patient with a dignified final phase of life, various factors may prevent this goal from being fully achieved. By exploring nurses’ experiences of providing end-of-life care, areas for improvement can be identified. Aim: To explore nurses' experiences of providing end-of-life care in a hospital setting. Method: This general literature review is based on qualitative articles selected from the Cinahl Complete and PubMed databases. The articles were reviewed, analysed, and summarized into a final result. Results: Based on 11 articles, the findings are categorized into three main themes with subcategories: Communication and Collaboration – The importance of communication, Power dynamics, and Support from colleagues; he Nurse’s Emotions – Emotional distance and Managing emotions; Workplace Culture and Organization – Education and routines, and Too few nurses, too many patients. Discussion/Conclusion: The findings show that nurses’ experiences of end-of-life care are marked by emotional challenges, the need for effective communication and collaboration, and obstacles related to insufficient training and resources. To achieve person-centered care, supportive work environments, functional teams, and access to adequate competence are essential.

Date of Award	2025-Jun
Original language	Swedish
Supervisor	Anna Wremp (Supervisor) & Maria Glans (Examiner)