Experiences of Emergency Nurses Providing End-of-Life Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

AimTo explore the experiences of emergency nurses providing end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignA qualitative descriptive study.MethodsData were collected between May and August 2023. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted face to face or by videoconferencing with a purposive and snowballed sample of 11 emergency nurses. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsThere were four main themes identified: (1) Isolation and loneliness that emergency nurses felt when providing end-of-life care throughout COVID-19. (2) Comparison of Care Relating to Communication; whereby emergency nurses compared the provision of end-of-life care before COVID-19 to end-of-life care provided during the pandemic. (3) Frustration and guilt: emergency nurses felt when providing end-of-life care. (4) Teamwork: participants interviewed explored the meaning of having a supportive team when providing end-of-life care.ConclusionsThis study explores in-depth experiences of emergency nurses providing care to those who were dying during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study identified that emergency nurses were impacted emotionally by providing end-of-life care during the pandemic, and ongoing support is likely to be needed. This study also reinforced the strength of teamwork amongst emergency nurses.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.