The Experience of Oncology Nurses who Provide Bereavement Support

Oncology nurses are present in varying degrees in the lives of cancer patients and their families as they journey through the cancer trajectory. When the patient dies, it is common practice for the therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the family to end, leaving the bereaved individual without this relationship during the difficult bereavement period. Although bereavement has been acknowledged as a period of increased morbidity and overuse of health care system resources, nurse-led bereavement support programs are not commonplace in tertiary care settings. Currently, very little is known of the experience of oncology nurses who provide bereavement support, and scant research exists regarding the needs of nurses who take on bereavement support in addition to their main nursing role. This lack of knowledge and understanding of the role and experience of oncology nurses who provide bereavement support can impact on services provided to bereaved individuals.