Highlights
- •Registered nurses care for children and their families at the end of life.
- •Descriptive study exploring the attitudes toward end-of-life care.
- •Study results indicated the need for increased education for nurses.
- •Education on end-of-life care increases nurse attitudes and knowledge.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge of the educational preparation and
attitudes of registered nurses at a southeastern pediatric hospital toward caring
for dying children and their families.
Design and methods
A descriptive study with two independent samples was used to examine the attitudes
of registered nurses at a pediatric hospital in southeastern United States. Participants
completed the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale, Form B, a 30-item
survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data.
Results
One hundred and thirty-two registered nurses participated in the study. Results indicated
a statistically significant difference in attitudes toward caring for dying pediatric
patient scores in registered nurses working in the hematology/oncology and intensive
care units compared to the other units (p = 0.0017; 95% CI: 2.39–10.12).
Conclusions
This study described the educational preparation and attitudes of registered nurses
who care for children who are dying and their families. Additionally, pediatric end-of-life
care is complex and is further influenced by experiences and attitudes. Future research
is needed to identify educational needs to care for pediatric patients and their families
at the end of life.
Practice implications
Findings from this project indicated end-of-life care education should be integrated
into undergraduate curricula. New nurse graduates who are entering the workforce should
receive education on end-of-life care, especially if they are entering into a pediatric
specific organization. Healthcare organizations should include end-of-life care education
as part of the orientation process and annual competency process.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 20, 2022
Accepted:
September 10,
2022
Received in revised form:
September 9,
2022
Received:
May 9,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
