Abstract
Patient death in intensive care units (ICUs) can be sudden and unexpected, leading to emotionally charged situations and life-changing circumstances for family members. This study aimed to ascertain ICU registered nurses' (RNs') current practice and beliefs about bereavement care, their role in bereavement support, and interest and education related to bereavement. Results from nurses working on units that received bereavement support program training were compared with results from control units. A posttest-only survey design using a convenience sample of RNs was used. A total of 110 RNs completed the instrument (57% response rate). The majority of the nurses agreed with items indicating it is the nurses' role to provide bereavement support to relatives. Almost half (46%) indicated they have not had sufficient education, training, and experience with bereavement care. The ICU nurses who had received bereavement program training more strongly agreed that nurses should be involved in initiating and maintaining contact with newly bereaved families. Conducting this study helped to identify ICU nurses' perceptions about bereavement care. Study findings were used to justify continuing the pilot program, further develop the program content, and to justify expansion of the program to other practice areas.