title: Caring for patients and families at end of life: the experiences of nurses during withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment is a process in which active treatment and the accompanying technology are removed, ending in the death of the patient.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To understand the lived experience of critical care nurses who care for patients during the process of withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A phenomenological study was undertaken and interviews were conducted with six critical care nurses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The essence of this experience was described by these nurses as "trying to do the right thing". Three major themes emerged: A journey--creating comfort along the way, working in professional angst, and providing memories.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa, School of Nursing. bvand093@uottawa.ca
authors.forename: Brandi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vanderspank-Wright
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fothergill-Bourbonnais
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brajtman
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gagnon
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009736:Nursing Process; D009864:Ontario; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D013727:Terminal Care; D028761:Withholding Treatment