Registered Nurses’ Perceptions of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as a Place to Provide Palliative and End of Life Care

• Author / Creator

  Orton, Jennifer L

• In this qualitative study, methods adapted from the field of ecologic restoration were used to explore seven registered nurses’ perceptions of one Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as a place to provide neonatal palliative and end of life care. The study was conducted in two phases. In phase one, data was collected during a unit photo walkabout. A photo-elicitation focus group followed. Transcribed data were coded for themes related to physical spaces, practices and culture that influenced care, and current resources available to support care. Key findings from this study included: participants faced challenges providing palliative and end of life care in a busy NICU, there is a need for continued education in palliative and end of life care principles and the importance of providing grief and bereavement support to families.This improved understanding is a step towards setting goals aimed at improving care for dying neonates and their families.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Care
  • Palliative
  • Neonatal

• Graduation date

  Fall 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Nursing

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3ZQ5P

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.