Loss, grief and dying are inevitable human experiences that nurses must understand and navigate with compassion and professionalism, These experiences extend beyond death and include a wide range of losses, such as loss of identity, relationships or independence, Grief is the emotional response to loss, influenced by personal, cultural and situational factors and it can manifest emotionally, physically, cognitively and behaviourally. There are different types of grief, including normal, anticipatory, disenfranchised and complicated grief.
Nurses play a crucial role in providing holistic, culturally sensitive and empathetic care to patients and their families, especially at the end of life. This includes recognising grief symptoms, supporting the patient's spiritual and emotional needs and respecting their rights and wishes through tools like living wills or advance directives, Understanding legal, ethical, psychological and spiritual aspects of dying ensures dignity and autonomy for the patient.
The Kubler-Ross model of five grief stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) provides a framework, but grief is a non-linear journey. Nurses also need to take care of themselves, recognising the emotional toll of end-of-life care and using coping strategies to maintain their own well-being. Ultimately, understanding grief and loss enhances the nurse's ability to offer compassionate, person-centred care during life's most vulnerable moments.