PERCEPTIONS OF NURSING STUDENTS REGARDING THE TERMINAL PROCESS OF LIFE

Abstract

Objetive: Identify the perceptions, of nursing students regarding the terminal process of life, to characterize the difficulties and problems discovered by students in this process. Method: This is an exploratory descriptive research, with quantitative data analysis. The sample consisted of 50 nursing students from the State University of Goiás - Ceres Campus. For data collection, a questionnaire elaborated by the researchers was used. Results: Most academics do not feel prepared to report the loved one's death to the family (78%), and only 22% claim to be prepared. 62% of respondents are afraid that someone dies in front of them, 38% are not afraid of it. About preparing to deal with the death and the dying process 6% considered being prepared for this confrontation, 70% feel partially prepared, and 24% totally unprepared. Conclusion: Even academics having contact withdeath, receiving some kind of preparation through theoretical and practical classes, the academic fully prepared to face the death process of the patient.