| Summary: | Background: Each year about 480 children in Sweden receive palliative care and a child’s death has a great impact on everyone involved with the child. Nurses have a responsibility to ensure that the child remains comfortable and experiences dignity until end of life. Caring for children in a palliative stage has shown to be overwhelming for nurses and there is of great importance to determine the nurses own experiences. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe nurses’ experiences of caring for children in a palliative stage. Method: The method used was a literature study with the aim to contribute to evidence based care with an analysis based on qualitative research. Twelve scientific articles were analyzed and three themes and nine subthemes emerged. Results: Relationships were created between the nurses, the children and their families. These relationships made it difficult for the nurses to maintain professional boundaries, which resulted in an emotional impact both during the care and after the child’s death. There were occasions when differences of opinion arose between the nurses and the guardians about the best interests of the child and during these circumstances the nurses needed to advocate for the child. Lack of resources and difficulties in symptom management was also challenging for the nurses during the end-of-life care. Support and additional knowledge was significant to enable further work within the area. Conclusions: Caring for children in a palliative stage is emotionally demanding which makes it difficult for nurses to remain professional. Since nurses have a responsibility to advocate for the children, differences in opinions will occur. Guardians need to be fully informed to make decisions based on the best interests of the child. There is also a need of resources, knowledge and support.
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