Nursing students perceptions of death and dying: A descriptive quantitative study.

Background: Nurses are frequently present during the dying process as a support for the dying person and the family. Experiencing death in this capacity can cause emotional and psychological stress to the nursing staff as they work to help others. Nursing students as the upcoming generation of nurses, need the knowledge and self-awareness to support others through these often traumatic events. Many students may not have experience with death or dying and when combined with lack of knowledge will be a great barrier once students graduate.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine how sophomore, junior, and senior undergraduate nursing students enrolled in one University setting perceive the concept of death and dying.

Design: A descriptive quantitative study was designed to explore the various perceptions that sophomore, junior, and senior nursing students have about death and dying.

Results: The Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying scale showed students have a positive attitude toward caring for dying patients. The Death Attitudes Profile-Revised scale indicated the presence of all profiles, though most students identified with Neutral Acceptance profile.

Conclusions: Nursing students often fear caring for clients with death or dying. Additional targeted education along with end of life care simulations can improve students improve their attitudes and beliefs to better care for patients.