Exploring Critical Care Nurses’ Experiences With Emotional Labor in Palliative Care

AIM: Explore the lived experiences of critical care nurses regarding emotional labor in palliative care. BACKGROUND: Palliative care plays a vital role in improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. The World Health Organization estimates that 40%-60% of patients globally require palliative care. INTRODUCTION: Critical care nurses frequently experience emotional work due to delivering life-sustaining interventions while providing compassionate palliative care in a complex environment. METHODS: An interpretive phenomenological analysis design was used. Data were collected from critical care nurses working in a tertiary health care setting in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia from September 2024 to November 2024. An interview guide was developed based on a review of emotional work literature. Open-ended prompts encouraged participants to describe their experiences. A purposive sample of 10 nurses was employed. This study adheres to the COREQ checklist. RESULTS: This study's findings revealed five key themes highlighting the emotional complexity nurses face in palliative care. Nurses described emotional labor as a balance between attachment and detachment, influenced by cultural and institutional challenges. They relied on spirituality, peer support, and personal coping mechanisms. Many nurses experienced personal growth and advocated for structured support systems to sustain resilience and well-being. CONCLUSION: Critical care nurses face emotional labor in palliative care, requiring cultural, religious, and familial support. Structured respite, family connections, personal growth, and institutional changes can prevent burnout. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING: The study emphasizes the need to support critical care nurses in managing emotional demands to ensure the delivery of compassionate and effective palliative care. IMPLICATION FOR HEALTH POLICY: Policies should address nurses' emotional well-being and regulation strategies to enhance workforce sustainability and care quality.