EXPERIENCES OF NEW NURSES DEALING WITH DEATH IN A PEDIATRIC SETTINGS: A DESCRIPTIVE QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: The transition from a student nurse to a registered nurse can be a stressful and shocking period for many new nurses as they adapt to their new role. Having to deal with the death of a pediatric patient, it might pose as a great challenge for most new nurses. Current literature often focus on new nurses dealing with death in an western adult setting. Little is known about how new nurse deal with a pediatric death in Singapore, therefore there is need for better understanding in their grieving experience. Aim: The aim of the study is to explore the experiences of new nurses dealing with pediatric death in a clinical setting and describe their coping strategy when dealing with a pediatric death. Methodology: A descriptive qualitative study design was used. A purposive sampling was used to pick out a sample of 12 new nurses who had encountered a pediatric death. A face-to-face interview was conducted and guided by semi-structured interviewed guide. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used. Results: Four themes and eleven sub-themes emerged from analysis – (1) The Spectrum of Emotions , (2) The ‘Blame’ Game, (3) Getting through the grief, (4) The New Nurse Wishlist. Conclusion: This study findings reinforces earlier studies that new nurses are unprepared to handle a patient’s death on their own. Early experiences of nurse hold an vital role in shaping nurse’s attitude towards their work. Hence it is important to provide additional support and guidance to aid them in understanding their coping needs and affirming them so that they could to gain confidence in providing End-of-Life (EOL) care. Cultural-sensitive trainings are also important to help new nurses facilitate EOL care.