Nursing Students’ Volunteer Experiences of Interacting with Children Receiving Pediatric Palliative Care: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Pediatric palliative care refers to active, holistic care that provides support not only for families but also for the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of pediatric patients with severe life-threatening diseases. Nursing students’ volunteer work for pediatric patients requiring palliative care is a unique and special experience with which to understand them as prospective medical personnel and that allows them to directly experience and feel the needs and reality related to emotional support. This study aimed to explore the experiences of nursing students who volunteer in pediatric in palliative care settings. Methods: The participants, selected through purposive sampling, were 20 nursing undergraduate students who volunteered at a pediatric palliative care medical center or a private community organization providing a support program for pediatric patients receiving palliative care. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed using content analysis. Data were collected from 7 August to 27 November 2023. Results: Five major categories were derived: (1) meeting with children—the process of facing and overcoming challenges; (2) the journey of changing through interactions with children; (3) parting with the child—anticipation, shock, and remembering; (4) new insights into pediatric palliative care; (5) and growing as a nursing student. Conclusions: The volunteer activities enabled the nursing students to interact with pediatric patients undergoing palliative care outside the sphere of clinical education. It increased these students’ awareness of palliative care and provided an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. It also provided an opportunity to improve empathy and provide emotional support.