Registered nurses caring for families who have relatives in adult intensive care units expand considerable emotional labour. Potentially, unless appropriately supported and managed, emotional labour may lead to occupational stress and ultimately burnout.

Registered Nurses caring for families who have relatives in adult intensive care units face a fundamental conflict both between role expectations and patient care and between professional ideals and being a human. This not only highlights a disparity between nurses everyday family care practice and the underpinning theories but also may contribute to occupational stress.