Background In Sweden, 550 children are in need of palliative care every year. The most common cause of this is due to cancer, progressive diseases and severe disabilities. The palliative care can be divided into an early and a late phase, the late phase is also called end-of-life care. The goal of palliative care is to make the child's last time in life the best possible by preventing and relieving the symptoms. The child and the family experience suffering when the child's illness cannot be cured. The nurse has a responsibility to alleviate suffering, comfort and to support the child and the family.

Aim The nurse's experience of caring for children at a palliative phase.

Method This literature-based study has analysed and compiled 10 scientific articles with qualitative method using Fribergs (2017) five-step model.

Results This study identified two main themes: The nurse's emotional impact and work challenges in palliative care. Nurses were both physically and mentally affected by working with palliatively ill children, where their work situation caused burnout and sick leave among the nurses. They experienced feelings of powerlessness, sadness and fear. However, it was not just a negative experience, nurses were also inspired by the children and grew in their own profession because of them.

Conclusion Lack of education and knowledge leads to uncertainty and fear of caring for palliatively ill children. To cope with the emotionally stressful work situation, nurses need help and support from colleagues.