LIVED EXPERIENCES OF NURSES IN CONSERVING DIGNITY FOR PATIENTS WITH LIFE-LIMITING ILLNESSES: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

This study examined the lived experiences of nurses in conserving the dignity of patients with life-limiting illnesses, analysing how they perceive, implement, and navigate dignity-conserving care amidst institutional constraints. With the utilization of Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, the research adopts a qualitative descriptive design and collects data through semi-structured questionnaires from 30 nurses working in palliative, oncology, and intensive care units in some selected hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria. Thematically, the study reveals that conserving dignity enhances nurses’ job satisfaction, emotional fulfillment, and professional identity. It also improves patient trust, treatment compliance, and family satisfaction. However, nurses face systemic barriers such as staff shortages, time constraints, rigid hospital policies and limited training. Despite these challenges, they employ personal strategies such as empathetic communication and cultural sensitivity and often act as advocates for patients in ethically complex situations. The findings underpin the need for institutional reforms, including staffing improvements, dignity-centered training programs, flexible care policies, and emotional support systems for nurses.