Attitudes and perceptions of nursing students towards the care of patients at the end of life

Fernanda A. Baltazar-Beltrán, Carrera de Enfermería, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Belinda de la Peña-León, Carrera de Enfermería, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Beatriz Carmona-Mejía, Carrera de Enfermería, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México

Introduction: Nursing professionals also provide patient care at the end of life. They carry out this relevant role by providing relief from pain and other symptoms, offering emotional and spiritual support, facilitating communication between family members, and assisting in informed decision-making. This care is a key point because it dignifies the patient’s last moments, promoting relief and a meaningful farewell for both them and their loved ones, ensuring respect for their wishes and values. Objective: Analyze the attitudes and perceptions of nursing students towards the care of patients at the end of life; in order to design more effective educational strategies that prepare them to face this challenge. Method: This was a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study; the data were analyzed using the SPSS Version 28.0.0; the sample was composed of 280 fourth-year students, and the FATCOD scale was used to measure their attitudes. Results: The sample was composed of 183 students, of which 137 were women (74.2%) and 46 men (25.2%), aged between 21 and 24 years. Analysis of the results showed that no significant differences were found between men and women in their attitudes and perceptions towards end-of-life patient care. Conclusion: These findings are relevant for the design of more effective educational strategies that prepare students to face the challenges associated with palliative care, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive education that contemplates both ethical and emotional aspects in the care of terminal patients.

Keywords: Attitude. Perception. Nursing students. Palliative care at the end of life.