Experiences of grief and loss among registered nurses in residential aged care facilities: A qualitative descriptive study
Death Studies, Vol.First online
09/06/2025
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research.portal.fulldisplay.sdgs.intro
research.portal.fulldisplay.sdgs.source
Registered nurses working in residential aged care facilities frequently encounter dying anddeath. While caring for the dying is part of their role, RNs are at risk of experiencing unexpressed grief and loss, which can have negative physical and emotional effects. Individual experiences of grief and loss in registered nurses working residential aged care facilities areunderexplored. This qualitative descriptive study explores how registered nurses in residential aged care facilities characterize their experience of grief and loss. Semi structured face-to faceinterviews were conducted with nine registered nurses from two residential aged carefacilities in New South Wales, Australia. Data were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Four themes were identified: (1) evolution of emotion; (2) wellbeing and resilience;(3) challenges; (4) solutions. While participants expressed resilience and coping strategies,there is a need for a structured organizational approach to support RNs, particularly new graduate registered nurses in managing grief and loss.
- Experiences of grief and loss among registered nurses in residential aged care facilities: A qualitative descriptive study
- Michelle Stubbs - University of NewcastleCarla Sunner - University of NewcastleMinah Gaviola - University of NewcastleTosin Popoola - University of NewcastleJulie Reis - University of Newcastle
- Death Studies, Vol.First online
- Taylor & Francis
- This work was supported via Seed Funding by the University of Newcastle.
- 991013356173302368
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Faculty of Health
- English
- Journal article