Improving Psychological Well-Being and Quality of Life among Palliative Care Nurses: Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Nurses who provide palliative care for patients suffering from life threatening conditions often report high levels of psychological distress and poor QOL. Aim: The purpose of this paper was to provide relevant literature regarding the psychological well-being and QOL among palliative care nurses and to suggest specific recommendations to improve psychological health and QOL among nurses provide palliative care. Methods: Literature review of articles related to psychological well-being and QOL among palliative care nurses was searched using CINAHL and PubMed electronic databases using the Keywords “psychological well-being”, “ anxiety” ,"stress", "depression", “quality of life”, “nurse”, “palliative care”, and a combination thereof. Results: The current paper highlighted various problems associated with the psychological health and QOL among nurses providing palliative care. Additionally, specific recommendations were provided to improve psychological health and QOL among nurses providing palliative care. Conclusion: All nurses who provide palliative care for patients suffering from life-threatening conditions should be well trained and prepared to provide quality care for patients and to cope effectively with the stressors they might face.