Exploring the experiences of ICU nurses caring for end stage patients: a qualitative study

Background and Aim: The fact that in spite of providing care some of the patients pass away can affect the mental health of some of the nurses and eventually affect the caring of patients. Therefore, considering the importance of end stage care, this research aimed to explore the experiences of caring end stage patients by nurses working in ICU. Materials and Methods: This study is qualitative content analysis. After purposive sampling, data was collected using interview and semi-structured interview and data saturation was reached after interviewing with 10 nurses working in ICU wards of Sanandaj city and the data were analyzed using content analysis contract. Findings: Three main themes were obtained from the data analysis: trauma, omitting the responsibility of the patient from the nurse and adhering to the inner voice about the experience of caring of end stage patients. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated the need for moral support from nurses, providing the possibility of providing full care, paying attention and managing patients condition and their families and making nurses participate in the decision-making process of end-stage patients. Therefore, managers while supporting nurses should consider these aspects and establish specialized nursing care units for end stage patients to provide full care for these patients.