POSIE-1 : Listening to ICU nurses with lived experience
This research study explores ICU nurses’ experiences, insights, and perspectives on supporting bereaved children through the loss of an important adult on the ICU. We want to understand what support currently looks like, what challenges arise, and how nurses navigate the emotional complexity of caring for grieving families - particularly children.
Every day, ICU nurses provide compassionate care during some of the most emotionally charged moments families will ever face.
When a loved one dies in intensive care, the impact is profound - especially for children. Unlike hospice or other end-of-life care settings, adult ICUs can be especially tough environments for families faced with the death of a loved one. A death on the ICU is often unexpected and unpredictable, and the environment is not always equipped to meet the emotional needs of children. While there is growing emphasis on family-centred care, uncertainty remains around how best to support the unique needs of grieving children within ICU families. Practical guidance for clinicians in this area is limited, leaving many unsure of how to respond.
By listening to ICU nurses, we aim to:
👥 Identify what helps and hinders the provision of child-centred bereavement support in the ICU.
👥 Highlight the emotional and professional impact on ICU nurses.
👥 Inform professional recommendations, training, and support systems for future practice.
Sharing your experience can help bridge the gap between best intentions and best practice - ensuring that grieving children are seen, heard, and supported at one of the most difficult times in their lives.
The Centre for Psychological ResearchOxford Brookes UniversityHeadington CampusHeadingtonOxford OX3 0BP