Experiences of Hospice and Palliative Nurses in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the experiences of hospice and palliative care (HPC) nurses at inpatient hospice centers in South Korea during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. METHODS: Data collection was conducted through individual interviews with 15 HPC nurses using face-to-face interviews, telephone calls, or Zoom videoconferencing. Data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. RESULTS: This study found that HPC nurses experienced practical and ethical dilemmas that reinforced the essential meaning and value of hospice and palliative care. The participants emphasized their practical roles related to compliance with infection prevention measures and their roles as rebuilders of hospice and palliative care. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that inpatient hospice centers must mitigate the practical and ethical dilemmas experienced by nurses, consider establishing explanation nursing units, and provide education to support nurses’ highlighted roles during the pandemic. This study can be used to prepare inpatient hospice centers and the nurses that work there for future infectious disease outbreaks.