Semra ACIKSOZ RN, PhD, Gonul KURT RN, PhD, Gulhane Military Medical Academy School of Nursing

Introduction Providing good palliative care requires an inner commitment from the professionals who are involved. The commitment depends on how these professionals view death and persons who are dying.

Introduction The nursing student is likely to encounter palliative and dying patients in any clinical setting. Making palliative care and end of life care education and training an essential component of nursing education.

Introduction Palliative care clinical placements can be an overwhelming experience for the nursing student, presenting the individual with both personal and professional challenges.

Introduction Understanding nursing students’ perceptions of dying and palliative care can help educators prepare students for these situations by using the research available to plan better ways to teach students about the needs of the dying patients.

Material & Methods The aim of this study was to identify the perceptions of nursing students about palliative care for dying patients while on clinical placements. A qualitative study design All participants (n=15) were female nursing students of a university in Turkey. A semi-structured interview form created as a result of a relevant literature survey. The data were collected by the investigators with the in-depth interview method

Results feeling of stress and inadequacy Most of students in the study reported that caring for a dying patient was a stressful experience, which experienced stress and anxiety related to death, and was not feel competent.

Results inability to use effective communication skills Students reported emotional distress and feelings of inadequacy with regard to communicating with patients.

Results symptom management providing emotional support to family Nursing students’ perceptions of palliative care focused on symptom management. Students reported emotional distress and feelings of inadequacy with regard to supporting the family of the dying patient.

Results Findings revealed that an emphasis on the domains of thoughts, feelings, communication, education and coping mechanisms are essential in nursing education. Existing research identifies a lack of palliative care knowledge and skills among student nurses

Conclusion These experiences highlight a need for strategies to support nursing students about competence, communication skills and coping with emotional stress.

Conclusion Student nurses need to be prepared to take an active role in caring for dying patients.

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