J Korean Clin Nurs Res.  2025 Apr;31(1):91-101. 10.22650/JKCNR.2025.31.1.91.

The Influence of Perceptions and Stress Experienced during End-of-Life Decision Making on End-of-Life Clinical Competence among Intensive Care Unit Nurses

• An SJ
• Kim G

• KMID: 2567681
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22650/JKCNR.2025.31.1.91

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the influence of perceptions and stress experienced during the end-of-life decision-making process on end-of-life care competence among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses.
Methods
Data were collected from February 1 to March 1, 2023, and analyzed using the IBM SPSS/WIN 27.0 program.
Results
Factors influencing end-of-life care competence among ICU nurses included role clarity in the end-of-life context (β=.34, p<.001), collaboration in the end-of-life context (β=.25, p=.002), and work-related interruptions of communication with families (β=-.15, p=.029). These factors, which were subdomains of perceptions and stress experienced during end-of-life decision making process, collectively explained 51.0% of the variance (F=13.09, p<.001).
Conclusion
Enhancing end-of-life care competence among ICU nurses requires targeted interventions. These measures should include the development of clear guidelines, the provision of education, and the implementation of institutional strategies aimed at clarifying nurses’ roles in end-of-life situations, fostering collaboration among nursing staff, and reducing work-related interruptions in communication with families.

Keyword

Intensive Care Units; End of Life; Clinical Competence; Decision Making; Stress