The Self-Expansion Process of Nursing Students in an End-Of-Life Experience Program

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the self-expansion process of nursing students in an end-of-life experience program.Methods: Thirteen nursing students participated in the end-of-life experience program. Data were collected through video conference interviews and analysed using grounded theory methods.Results: A total of 13 categories emerged. They were analysed by fitting them into a paradigmatic model. The central phenomenon was ‘fear and dread of death’. Action/interaction strategies included ‘accepting death as part of life’, ‘living well to die well’, ‘taking a serious interest in end-of-life care’, and ‘preparing for a dignified death’. The core category was ‘facing the end of life and striving to be a better version of oneself’. This process had five stages: ‘avoidance thoughts of death’, ‘recognizing the existence of death’, ‘focusing on the present’, ‘preparing for a meaningful life’, and ‘growing inward’.Conclusion: Understanding death can change one's perspective and contribute to the expansion of knowledge and professional competence. Thus, it is necessary to implement programs to improve death awareness among nursing students.