Abstract
This study aimed to identify the characteristics of nursing care provided to support the lives of advanced cancer patients through their end-of-life process. Qualitative inductive analysis was performed using data obtained from semistructured interviews of 10 general ward nurses.
The end-of-life nursing care provided was summarized under 8 categories as recognized by the general ward nurses;
they included “being conscious of the time spent with the patients they have been caring for since the treatment phase
and ensuring continuous care until the end of life,” and “respecting the life and thoughts of the patient who is presently
living, and in a feasible way supporting them.”
General ward nurses seemed to perceive their privilege to provide continuous care for advanced cancer patients as
a strength and applied it in their practice. The findings from the interviews indicated that nurses wished to provide
continuous care until the patients’ end of life.
