Nursing students' witnessed experience of patient death during clinical practice: A qualitative study using focus groups

Background: Witnessing the death and dying of patients is a strong, often overwhelming experience during clinical practice. It is necessary to explore how nursing students experience care for dying patients and to understand their perceptions of death and dying. Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of nursing students who witness dying patients and terminal care in their clinical practice. Design: A qualitative study using focus group discussion methodology. Setting(s): A university in Seoul, South Korea. Participants: A total of 16 nursing students with more than 1 year of clinical practice experience participated. Their median age was 21.9 years (range 21-24), and all were women. Methods: A qualitative study using three focus groups (10 juniors in two focus groups and 6 seniors in one focus group) was conducted from December 2018 to January 2019. Data were analyzed using the Colaizzi analysis method. Results: The analysis resulted in 26 themes, 9 theme clusters, and 3 categories. Three categories emerged: 1) Experience the distance death up close; 2) Dilemma at the end of life; and 3) Strategy on a better end to life. Conclusions: For nursing students, it is necessary to develop and apply internal and external reinforcement programs on providing person-centered care so that they can accept the death of others with equanimity. Nursing students, who are future nurses, should receive education covering various aspects of clinical scenarios involving dying patients and their family members.