Dying Patient Attitudes
Abstract
Death is the final journey in life; therefore, all living beings will inevitably die. Nurses play an important role in caring for dying patients and their families. Because of this, nurses need to evaluate their beliefs and feelings on death before providing care to patients. Many researchers have studied the attitudes of nurses and the effects these attitudes may have while providing care to the dying patient and their families. Research studies use demographics and other measuring tools to analyze the attitudes of nurses. The focus of this paper is to report on a study conducted in a comprehensive cancer center. Studies have shown that cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States. The basis of this …show more content…
Cancer is a disease that generally affects adults and the older population. While many patients survive a diagnosis of cancer, unfortunately many do not (Fairbrother & Paice, 2005). Caring for terminal patients is very demanding psychologically. Nurses need to care for themselves first in order to provide patients and families with the care that is needed. The setting for this study was at a 432-bed comprehensive cancer center. Several variables were used for this research, including years of nursing experience, age, gender, previous experience caring for terminal patients, and attitudes of nurses caring for a dying patient. Participants consisted of 355 oncology nurses who worked with inpatients and outpatients (Lange, Thorn, & Kline, …show more content…
The surveys consisted of two valid and reliable instruments and a demographic questionnaire. The survey was voluntary, anonymous, and participantes were not given any compensation. Registered nurses throughout the hospital were invited to participate and the forms were placed in a convenient location during nursing orientation and annual competency day. Each nurse completing all questions included in their survey packet took part in the research study. The questionnaire took an estimated time of 10 to 15 minutes. The completed surveys were placed in a labeled box in a specific location (Lange, Thom, & Kline,
Death is the final journey in life; therefore, all living beings will inevitably die. Nurses play an important role in caring for dying patients and their families. Because of this, nurses need to evaluate their beliefs and feelings on death before providing care to patients. Many researchers have studied the attitudes of nurses and the effects these attitudes may have while providing care to the dying patient and their families. Research studies use demographics and other measuring tools to analyze the attitudes of nurses. The focus of this paper is to report on a study conducted in a comprehensive cancer center. Studies have shown that cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States. The basis of this …show more content…
Cancer is a disease that generally affects adults and the older population. While many patients survive a diagnosis of cancer, unfortunately many do not (Fairbrother & Paice, 2005). Caring for terminal patients is very demanding psychologically. Nurses need to care for themselves first in order to provide patients and families with the care that is needed. The setting for this study was at a 432-bed comprehensive cancer center. Several variables were used for this research, including years of nursing experience, age, gender, previous experience caring for terminal patients, and attitudes of nurses caring for a dying patient. Participants consisted of 355 oncology nurses who worked with inpatients and outpatients (Lange, Thorn, & Kline, …show more content…
The surveys consisted of two valid and reliable instruments and a demographic questionnaire. The survey was voluntary, anonymous, and participantes were not given any compensation. Registered nurses throughout the hospital were invited to participate and the forms were placed in a convenient location during nursing orientation and annual competency day. Each nurse completing all questions included in their survey packet took part in the research study. The questionnaire took an estimated time of 10 to 15 minutes. The completed surveys were placed in a labeled box in a specific location (Lange, Thom, & Kline,