Factors influencing attitudes toward end-of-life care among Korean emergency room nurses: a descriptive survey study

Purpose: This study explored the relationships of emergency room nurses’ perceptions of a good death, sense of calling, empathy competence, and end-of-life care stress with attitudes toward end-of-life care. It also identified the factors influencing attitudes toward end-of-life care.Methods: Data collection was conducted from September 1 to September 27, 2023 among emergency room nurses from general hospitals in Korea. A total of 248 nurses were included in the final analysis. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS Win 26.0 program.Results: The study found positive correlations between attitudes toward end-of-life care and perceptions of a good death (r = .48, p < .001), sense of calling (r = .33, p < .001), and empathy competence (r = .24, p < .001). Conversely, a negative correlation was observed between end-of-life care stress and attitudes toward end-of-life care (r = -.44, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that an experience of a family member`s death, perceptions of a good death, a sense of calling, and end-of-life care stress were factors that significantly influenced attitudes toward end-of-life care among the emergency room nurses.Conclusion: In order to foster positive end-of-life care attitudes among emergency room nurses, it is essential to provide education on perceptions of a good death. Systematic education can effectively alleviate end-of-life care stress and help nurses better support this important aspect of practice.