Perceptions of nurses caring for children with life-limiting conditions in an acute setting in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

Background: Despite international developments in paediatric palliative care (PPC), nurses continue to report feeling unprepared, anxious and overwhelmed when caring for patients with palliative care needs. There is an identified need throughout the literature for improved education in the area of PPC, as well as the need to improve the support available to families and health professionals in order to provide this specialised care effectively. Aim: To examine the insights of nurses within the acute setting who are caring for children with life-limiting conditions, who have complex and/or palliative care needs in Ireland. Method: This was a qualitative study which used purposive, convenience sampling to gain participants (N=14) and semi-structured interviews to gather data. Thematic analysis was used to discuss the material under five core themes. Findings: Results are discussed under the five core themes of: ‘nurses’ emotive journey when caring for children with life-limiting conditions’, ‘the barriers faced in caring for children with life-limiting conditions in the acute setting’, ‘the facilitators to caring for children with life-limiting conditions in the acute setting’, ‘education and training’ and ‘how nurses cope when a child dies’. Conclusion: Each participant of this study described a particular affection towards caring for children with complex healthcare needs within the acute setting. However, many of the obstacles faced by nurses in the acute setting when providing this care were reported upon, these included inefficient training, education and support, an inadequate nursing environment to provide the desired level of care and the emotional toll of providing such an intense level of care.