Citation

Valente SM, Saunders JM. Perspect. Psychiatr. Care 2002; 38(1): 5-14.

Affiliation

Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA. sharon.valente@med.va.gov

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11939086

Abstract

TOPIC: A patient's suicide may threaten the nurse's health and work performance until grief and mourning are transformed. PURPOSE: To examine the literature, bereavement theories, and recommendations for supporting nurses' bereavement. SOURCES: Bereavement literature on Medline, CINAHL, and PsychInfo from 1965-2001, and clinicians' and nurses' responses to a patient's death by suicide. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses need a support system to help them cope with grief after a patient's suicide. Having knowledge of bereavement and using therapeutic support can help prevent burnout or stress and can encourage constructive coping strategies that transform grief. Grieving is facilitated when nurses recognize their own mortality and take time to process their grief.

Language: en