Background

The word cancer is a term used to describe about 200 different diseases. Cancer patients often receive palliative care, where the purpose is to relive suffering and promote quality of life. Previous research shows that nurses often have a negative approach towards cancer, especially because the lack of knowledge and insecurity in how to communicate with these patients.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe nurses' experiences of caring for patients with cancer receiving palliative care in a hospital ward.

Method

The method used in this study was a literature review based on qualitative studies. Fourteen articles were analysed according to Friberg's (2006) qualitative content analyse in five steps for literature-based studies.

Results

The result showed that nurses have mixed feelings about meeting patients with cancer in a palliative phase. They had feelings of inadequacy and they felt a great responsibility, many nurses experienced feelings of gratitude towards working with palliative patients with cancer. Nurses also expressed that communication and a trusting relationship with the patients were important. The nurses often felt that they didn't have enough time to give the care that the patients deserved because of a high workload.

Conclusion

Patients with cancer in a palliative phase are a complex area. Nurses may experience providing care to patients in palliative care as emotionally stressful. To be able to provide high quality care trusting relationships were essential between nurses and patients. Patients with cancer are in need of support from the nurse, but the nurses experienced that time is not enough.