Betty R Ferrell1, Nessa Coyle. 1. Department of Nursing Research and Education at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, CA, USA. bferrell@coh.org,
Abstract
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To describe the nature of suffering and the goals of nursing. DATA SOURCES: Data sources informing this work included descriptions of suffering as derived from the literature; narrative data from patients, family caregivers, and nurses; and personal and professional experiences of the authors. DATA SYNTHESIS: Previous descriptions of suffering from seminal sources are insufficient to elucidate suffering from a nursing perspective. This article is parallel to Cassell's description in 1982 of the nature of suffering and the goals of medicine. Nurses play a fundamental role in caring for those who suffer. Suffering is associated with loss, intense emotions, spiritual distress, and inability to express those experiences. CONCLUSIONS: The 10 basic tenets of suffering describe its nature and the goals of nursing; they include listening, intimate care of the body, and presence. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Oncology nurses witness suffering in their daily work. This article is intended to acknowledge suffering experienced in oncology nursing and to stimulate future research.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To describe the nature of suffering and the goals of nursing. DATA SOURCES: Data sources informing this work included descriptions of suffering as derived from the literature; narrative data from patients, family caregivers, and nurses; and personal and professional experiences of the authors. DATA SYNTHESIS: Previous descriptions of suffering from seminal sources are insufficient to elucidate suffering from a nursing perspective. This article is parallel to Cassell's description in 1982 of the nature of suffering and the goals of medicine. Nurses play a fundamental role in caring for those who suffer. Suffering is associated with loss, intense emotions, spiritual distress, and inability to express those experiences. CONCLUSIONS: The 10 basic tenets of suffering describe its nature and the goals of nursing; they include listening, intimate care of the body, and presence. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Oncology nurses witness suffering in their daily work. This article is intended to acknowledge suffering experienced in oncology nursing and to stimulate future research.
Authors: Richard Schulz; Scott R Beach; Randy S Hebert; Lynn M Martire; Joan K Monin; Connie A Tompkins; Steven M Albert Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2009-03 Impact factor: 4.105
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