The Need for Time
Nurses reported that adequate time was necessary
to provide high-quality EOL care. Albinsson and
Strang (2003) found issues relating to time were lack of
nurse availability and providing support. Availability
required “being there” for the patient and creating a
sense of security for anxious family members through
behaviors such as listening and taking time with them.
Providing support involved showing empathy to and
providing support for the family at the time of death.
Cramer (2010) also reported the importance of having
the time to be there for the patient and family and referred
to it as the power of presence.
In a study of 33 oncology nurses at a midwestern
healthcare service organization, Pavlish and Ceronsky
(2007) explored nurses’ perceptions about the context
of palliative care. The most frequent concern in the
acute care setting was the limited time available to
give compassionate and comprehensive palliative
care. Nurses also reported being torn between time
demands of palliative care and the emotions accompanying
involvement with the patient and family at
the EOL.