Doświadczenia pielęgniarek intensywnej terapii związane z opieką nad osobami w ostatnim okresie życia w ujęciu etycznym

Krystyna Woźniak; Dorota Ozga; Marzanna Obrzut

doi:10.56583/fs.2989

Published : 2026-06-30

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2026)

The Experiences of Intensive Care Nurses in Providing End-of-Life Care from an Ethical Perspective

Krystyna Woźniak

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3018-1079

Dorota Ozga

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9457-9388

Marzanna Obrzut

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1502-4254

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56583/fs.2989

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the experiences of intensive care nurses related to caring for patients in the final stages of life from an ethical perspective. The study is based on a review of the scientific literature from 2014 to 2025, including qualitative studies, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines. The analysis examined the ethical aspects of work in intensive care units (ICUs) in the context of moral dilemmas, ethical stress, and concern for patient dignity. The results of the review indicate that ICU nurses often experience moral stress resulting from participation in life-sustaining treatment, a lack of clear ethical guidelines, and the tension between the duty to save lives and concern for the patient’s welfare and dignity. The need for ethics training, systemic emotional support, and the integration of palliative care principles into intensive care units is highlighted.

Keywords:

end-of-life care, medical ethics, intensive care nurse, moral stress, patient dignity

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Woźniak, K., Ozga, D., & Obrzut, M. (2026). The Experiences of Intensive Care Nurses in Providing End-of-Life Care from an Ethical Perspective. Facta Simonidis, 19(1), 381–402. https://doi.org/10.56583/fs.2989

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