Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | Experiences and coping strategies adopted by the nursing staff of the reality of pediatric |
|---|---|
| Name | Cauchi Josephine |
| Supervisor(s) | Masoni Barbara |
| Academic Year | 2015/16 |
| Thesis type | Research thesis |
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the personal feelings, experiences, coping strategies and the evolution of
the feelings of pediatric haematology-oncology nurses following the death of children/adolescents cared
by them.
The research included 13 nurses. The data were collected through semi-structured interview, defined on
the basis of data reported from in the literature, associated with the compilation of a specific
socio-demographic tab.
With regard to feelings, those that have been reported mostly by the nurses are sorrow, anger, sadness,
pain, desolation, discouragement, frustration and deep sense of helplessness, injustice, emptiness.
The study participants have identified many factors that affect feelings following the tragic event including
the special relationship established with the child and his family, the sudden death of the child or not, his
age, the parents' reaction following the death of the child or the personal factors of the nurse.
However, about the coping strategies adopted by nurses, the most used are communication, teamwork,
the sharp separation between personal and professional life, reflection on what happened to relieve the
guilt and maintaining the professional role that, over time, have led most participants at a personal and
professional growth.
From the results, it is clear that the loss of a young patient has a major impact on the personal and
professional well-being of nurse. This study therefore suggests to establish a specialist service, external
to the department, to support staff, or create moments of encounter, dividing the team in small groups, in
order to process the mournful event.