Nursing care for children when a parent is terminally ill

ABSTRACT

<b>Purpose</b> Death of a parent is a painful and sorrowful experience for children. The purpose of this study was to describe the nursing care provided to children who had a parent at the end of life. <b>Methods</b> Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 11 nurses working for a palliative care unit. <b>Results</b> Emerging from the qualitative data analysis were five categories gathering information about the children; laying the foundations for providing care for children; coordination for enabling children and parent to spend time together; explaining to children about the parent's situation and parent's care and participating in an interdisciplinary approach. <b>Conclusion</b> Further research is needed to identify other staff roles and family needs and perspectives to provide appropriate care for children with a parent who is terminally ill.