Helping perinatal nurses cope with patient death

The death of an infant or maternal loss can be distressing for the staff that cared for them. Grief is an emotional reaction to loss and must be recognised among perinatal and neonatal nursing staff. Coping with stress and grief is important to enhance a nurse’s quality of life and decrease compassion fatigue and burnout in the workplace. This article considers the background and evidence of the problem, recommendations for change, and outcome influences. Healthy coping strategies are outlined, as well as ways in which staff and management can help each other to cope with the stress and grief of patient loss.

Catherine A. Pankonien
DNP, MSN-Ed, BSN, RNC-NIC
Assistant Professor
catherine.pankonien@msutexas.edu

Sandra M. Groth
DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor

Midwestern State University, Wilson School of Nursing, Wichita Falls, Texas, USA