Nurses are directly involved in a wide range of health matters, but I would like to focus on the topic of end-of-life (EOL) care. I have reviewed chapter 24 and am interested in the practice concerning people’s experiences in the face of demise during cancer (DeMarco & Healey-Walsh, 2019). If I were to work in this setting, I would greatly affect people, as patients and their families have various fears and worries about EOL care (DeMarco & Healey-Walsh, 2019). People have to make complex decisions about EOL care, and I am obliged to assist them throughout the process (DeMarco & Healey-Walsh, 2019). If I consider not working in a community setting, the primary reason may be a lack of confidence in my capabilities at the beginning. However, I am certain that I will obtain the necessary skills to work sufficiently. My knowledge of community health nursing can influence my client care decisions based on understanding each person’s needs, such as those in EOL care. Nurses must carefully manage EOL care for patients and their loved ones, and I am determined to learn more about this topic.
I began my search on Google Scholar and databases recommended by the university, using keywords such as “end-of-life,” “grief,” “coping,” and “pain management.” I have noticed that the search yields multiple articles but concentrates on nurses’ EOL care experiences rather than patient needs. Moreover, I have concluded that it may be helpful to narrow the topic to a specific group of patients, like those who have cancer. For instance, I have chosen one study and one integrative review on EOL care in pediatric oncology to assess two sides of the case. The study researches nurses’ perceptions, and the review analyzes several symptoms during the EOL period. Although I am interested in multiple aspects of nursing, I would like to educate myself more on EOL care, and children appear especially vulnerable in such situations. I have attached the two mentioned articles below.
Reference
DeMarco, R. F., & Healey-Walsh, J. (2019). Community and public health nursing: Evidence for practice (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer.