Nurses’ Experience of End of Life Care in a New Infectious Disease Crisis: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to explore and understand nurses’ end of life experiences during care for critical COVID-19 patients. In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 nurses working at a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in ‘D’ Metropolitan City. The 11 nurses all had experience in end of life care for critical COVID-19 patients. Collected data was examined using qualitative thematic analysis. The results showed the four categories were: trauma from end of life care, overwhelming nursing responsibilities for critical COVID-19 patients, role as guardians and supporters of critical COVID-19 patients, growth of professional identity and professional competency as a nurse. An inadequate infectious disease management system burdened nursing practitioners with many responsibilities during the early stages of the pandemic. However, This experience gave nurses an opportunity to re-think the value of caring and re-establish their professional identity. Institutional support and social interest are required to improve the quality of end of life care and work processes and provide psychological support and recovery for nursing practitioners.