“Wading Through Misery: Exploring the Life Experiences ICU Nurses in Caring for Terminally Ill Patients”

This study explored the lived experiences of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses in caring for terminally ill patients in selected hospitals in Pangasinan. A qualitative phenomenological research design was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences, challenges, psychological effects, coping mechanisms, and lessons learned by ICU nurses in providing end-of-life care. Purposive sampling was used to select ten ICU nurses who had at least six months of continuous experience working in an ICU and had provided care to terminally ill patients. Data were collected through semi-structured, one-on-one, in-depth interviews using open-ended questions. With the participants’ consent, the interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed to identify significant statements, recurring patterns, themes, and sub-themes that reflected their lived experiences.

ICU nurses, terminally ill patients, lived experiences, phenomenology

1. Alanazi, N. H. (2024). Intensive care unit nurses’ experiences in caring for end-of-life patients in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(7), 931. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070931 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Jang, S. K., Park, W. H., Kim, H.-I., & Chang, S. O. (2019). Exploring nurses’ end-of-life care for dying patients in the ICU using focus group interviews. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 52, 3–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2018.09.007 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Lamb, A., Fry, M., & Sheppard-Law, S. (2023). How a critical care environment influences nurses’ health and working capacity: A scoping review. Contemporary Nurse, 59(5–6), 555–575 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Cleveland Clinic. (2024, October 15). Terminal illness: Meaning, types & care. Cleveland Clinic [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care. (2021). Redefining palliative care—A new consensus-based definition. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 62(4), 754–764. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. World Health Organization. (2020, August 5). Palliative care. World Health Organization [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Migrant Health in Morocco: Between Law and Reality
• CaknaMinda: An Educator-Centred Mobile App for Early Screening of Mental Health and Schizophrenia Risks
• Health System and Nursing Strategies for Enhancing Male Participation in Family Planning: Evidence from Tema General Hospital, Ghana.
• From Īśvara-Praṇidhāna to Parā-Bhakti: Convergent Paths of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga and Bhakti Yoga
• Evidence-Based Psycho-Oncological Interventions: A Multimodal Approach to Supportive Care