The effect of death anxiety in nurses on their approach to dying patients: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine death anxiety levels in nurses and to examine its effect on their approach to dying patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 240 nurses. Study data were collected by Personal Information Form, Thorson-Powell Death Anxiety Scale, and Approach to Death and Dying Patients Attitude Scale. FINDINGS: According to the total scores of the nurses included in the study, it was determined that they experienced mild death anxiety and exhibited a moderate attitude of avoidance towards death and dying patients. CONCLUSION: This study showed that as the death anxiety of nurses increased, their avoidance attitudes towards dying patients decreased.