Objective: The aim of this study was to describe nurses’ experiences of caring for palliative-stage patients in a hospital setting.

Methods: A qualitative study based on six interviews with strategically selected nurses in an oncology department in western Sweden. The interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach.

Results: The results identified three themes: 1) Developing professional self-confidence; 2) Developing communication skills; and 3) Having time for reflection. Each theme has at least two subthemes.

Conclusions: Caring for palliative-stage patients requires a combination of knowledge, experience and professional and personal self-confidence. Nurses need regular coaching by staff and professionals with more experience dealing with and processing suffering, death and related existential issues. Nurses need to separate work from private life and have satisfying and relaxing leisure activities.