Nurses’ Experiences of Grief Care for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients and Their Families: A Qualitative Study

Background: Grief care is a vital yet emotionally demanding component of end-of-life nursing for patients with terminal cancer, with significant implications for family and community well-being. In Jordanian private hospitals, cultural sensitivities surrounding death and limited formal grief-care education may challenge nurses’ ability to support patients and families effectively, with implications for sustainable healthcare practice. Purpose: This study explored nurses’ experiences of grief care work with dying patients and their families from a community health nursing perspective in a Jordanian private hospital and considered its relevance to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured, in-depth interviews was conducted. Twelve nurses with experience caring for terminally ill cancer patients in a Jordanian private hospital participated. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Results: Twelve nurses participated in the study. Five themes emerged across the periods before, during, and after patient death: (1) hardships and efforts of patients and families in facing death; (2) family reactions during the dying process; (3) providing compassionate nursing care; (4) nurses’ experiences in grief care; and (5) nurses’ personal and professional transformation. Ten subthemes captured key aspects of these experiences, including patient suffering, family support, stress and acceptance, emotional expression, practical care, nurses’ concerns for the bereaved, feelings of helplessness, challenges in grief care, needs for future support, and professional growth. Nurses reported experiencing emotional burden, communication challenges, and moral distress, yet demonstrated resilience, empathy, and development of both personal and professional coping strategies. Conclusion: Cultural barriers and limited grief-care training hinder effective end-of-life support. Integrating structured grief-care education, reflective practice, and psychological support into nursing education and hospital systems and community-oriented care models can enhance care quality and promote nurses’ well-being, contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).