Online Exclusive Article

A Concept Analysis of Nurses’ Grief

Ashley E. Wisekal

nurse grief, patient loss, concept analysis, end-of-life care, hospice, palliative care
CJON 2015, 19(5), E103-E107. DOI: 10.1188/15.CJON.E103-E107

Background: The psychological and personal well-being of nurses can change the way they care for patients. If nurses’ grief is not properly managed, the nursing shortage will continue to grow. Consequently, a need exists for the identification of nurses’ grief and effective interventions to manage grief to ensure the successful development and growth of the nursing profession.

Objectives: This concept analysis sought to properly define nurses’ grief and the role it plays in the day-to-day requirements of nurses.

Methods: A review of the literature was conducted using CINAHL®, BioMed, EBSCOhost, and MEDLINE® and the following key words: nurse, grief, and patient loss. Articles included provide information about nurses’ grief, outcomes resulting from grief, and interventions to manage nurses’ grief.

Findings: Nurses’ grief must be incorporated into the nursing curriculum and addressed by employers. In particular, facility leaders should help promote a healthy work environment and address the need for proper grief management. Educators, managers, and nurses can benefit from acknowledging the current gap in managing nurses’ grief.

Members Only
Not a current ONS member or journal subscriber?

Purchase This Article

Receive a PDF to download and print.