The Experience of Pediatric Intensive Care Nurses Caring for Dying Children

Meyer, Rebecca Lee

Tuesday, July 12, 2011: 4:25 PM

Rebecca Lee Meyer, RN, BSN, MSN, PhD
School of Nursing, California Baptist University, Riverside, CA

Learning Objective 1: ...examine the eidetic question "What is caring for a dying child?".

Learning Objective 2: ...compare the themes and essences uncovered using rigorous phenomenolgical method in the experiences of PICU nurses caring for dying children.

Purpose: Explore the experience of pediatric nurses caring for dying children. An estimated 55,000 children die every year in the United States and another 400,000 live with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions causing them to end up in the PICU. This phenomenon has not been well explored and nurses who work in this area may have unexplored thoughts and knowledge about the experience itself which could contribute to the nursing profession. The concept of transpersonal caring as outlined in Watson’s Theory of Human Caring was the theoretical foundation. Transpersonal caring depends on a commitment from the nurse to preserve human dignity, utilize actions and words to detect feelings, while being genuine and sincere.

Methods: A phenomenological study was conducted with 10 participants using purposive sampling. Inclusion criteria included a minimum of 6 months experience and at least 2 experiences and exclusion criteria included nurses whose own child had died and other members of the team. The interviews were taped, transcribed, and analyzed in order to identify themes and essences of the experiences.

Results: The essences of the experiences were identified. 1). Alleviate; lighten the load, providing comfort in a soothing manner, 2). Tribute; honor and celebrate the memories, 3). Amid; being there with the patient and family, 4). Blessed; recognize the sacred and divine moment of a child’s passing, 5). Silence; peaceful stillness, 6). Sympathy; compassion in the midst of emotions, 7). Craft; unite the art and science of vocation, 8). Impact; recognize the experience has lasting effects and requires strength to endure.

Conclusion: The concept of transpersonal caring as outlined in Watson’s Theory of Human Caring was the theoretical foundation. Transpersonal caring depends on a commitment from the nurse to preserve human dignity, utilize actions and words to detect feelings, while being genuine and sincere.

See more of: Models for Delivery of End-of-Life Care
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