Norwegian and Swedish nursing students’ concerns about dying

Abstract

Providing care for dying patients is demanding for nurses. The aim of this study was to investigate Norwegian and Swedish nursing students’ concerns about dying and sense of coherence in their first and third year. Further, to describe the students’ experiences of caring for dying patients during their education. Nursing students in their first and third year in Norway (n = 64) and Sweden (n = 79) responded to the questionnaire Concerns about Dying and Sense of Coherence Scale. Interviews were conducted with 11 students. In their third year, both groups reported reduced concerns with regard to their own death. Norwegian students with no experience in healthcare before education reported more concerns about dying patients. Caring for a dying patient was experienced as a challenge to endure, perform and learn. There is a need to develop teaching methods and to give individualized support to nursing students during their education.