Process of dying in a pediatric intensive therapy unit

Abstract

The recurrent experience of the nursing team in a pediatric intensive care unit is not enough to accept the death of a child, since they bring feelings like guilt, failure and denial of death. The objective of this study is to discuss how nursing professionals deal with the death and dying process, and identify the impacts caused during this process in pediatric intensive care units. The methodology chosen to conduct the research was qualitative and exploratory-descriptive, employing a content analysis proposed by Bardin. We conclude that there are some important gaps in the nursing process in dealing with death and dying in pediatrics. Dealing with this process is extremely painful and requires the pursuit of continuing education in health.