Exploring the Intensive Care Nurses’ Experience after Neonatal Deaths: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: The experiences of nurses regarding neonatal death is less investigated. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of nurses' grief after neonatal death in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: This was a qualitative research performed with a hermeneutic phenomenology approach and interpretation of narratives. Semi-structured interviews were used to obtain an in-depth knowledge of the experiences of grief of 11 nursing professionals. The targeted content and thematic analysis approach was used for the interpretation of narratives. Results: The following experiences of nursing professionals in the face of neonatal death emerged: emotions; behaviors, and reactions; attitudes related to family; intervening factors; personal, professional, and institutional resources. Grief in the face of neonatal death generates mixed feelings, guilt, sadness, and feelings of frustration and pain in nursing professionals. Conclusion: Neonatal death in the NICU creates an emotional challenge for nursing professionals. Hospitals should provide a support system for nurses and family through counseling by specialized teams to address these grief experiences and find ways to cope positively and constructively.
Source: Journal of Caring Sciences
Institution: Universidad del Norte
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7126448929
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: