Palliative Nursing for Cancer Patients as an Abstract Concept: A Hermeneutic Study

Background: Understanding the outcomes of palliative care (PC) that is provided to patients with cancer is necessary. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of Iranian nurses with regard to PC outcomes in cancer patients. Methods: This hermeneutic study interviewed 14 nurses to understand their lived experiences with regard to PC outcomes in cancer patients. A seven-stage process of data analysis was employed. Results: One constitutive pattern ＂palliative nursing for cancer patients is an abstractive concept＂ and the two associated themes of ＂providing excellent PC＂ and ＂PC as an alarm＂ were identified. Providing excellent PC had two subthemes: being a unique nurse and experiencing the humanistic approach to caring. PC as an alarm also had two subthemes: caring-related concerns and challenging issues caused by caring. Conclusions: The findings provide a deeper understanding of the nursing experience with regard to PC outcomes in cancer patients.