Palliative Care in Oncology: Nurses' Experience in Caring for Children in The Final Stages of Life

Objective: The study's main purpose has been to investigate nurses' experience in caring for children with cancer under palliative care. Method: It is an exploratory study with a qualitative approach, conducted with twelve nurses through a semi-structured interview and submitted to content analysis. Results: Three thematic categories emerged: Nurses' perception of assistance to children with cancer in Palliative Care and support for family members, highlighting assistance focused on well-being and comfort; Care practices used by nurses for children with cancer in Palliative Care, with an approach focused on pain relief and other symptoms; Communication of bad news and appreciation of spirituality in child care in Palliative Care, in the context of terminality. Conclusion: The interviewees demonstrated that they experience assistance focused on the quality of life of the children with cancer in palliative care and their family. Greater investment in academic education is suggested concerning the theme.