Feelings of nurses who work with cancer patients in terminal phase

Objective: To identify the feelings of nurses who work with cancer patients in terminal phase. Methods: It is a qualitative research conducted with 10 nurses from the oncology department of a hospital in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. Data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews submitted to thematic analysis. The Research Ethics Committee of the Santo Agostinho College approved the study under protocol No. 350/10. Results: One of the biggest anxieties nurses face is dealing with death, seen as a painful phenomenon and difficult to accept. Most professionals admitted not being prepared to manage and cope with this condition, experiencing it in a conflicting, bitter, and cruel way. Conclusion: Given the fragility of nurses' feelings, there is a urgent need to aid oncology professionals by creating professional support groups in order to share experiences and minimize the emotional distress.