The aim of this study was to understand the phenomenon experienced by nurses who work at a chemotherapy center when faced with the possibility of death of patients in this service. The study was developed using the phenomenological qualitative methodology and its analysis was the philosophical framework of Martin Heidegger. Study´s participants were eight nurses working at the chemotherapy center of a teaching hospital. Interviews were conducted in January and February of 2012 and four categories were revealed: Experiencing death as a natural life cycle; Experiencing impotence in the death of the other; Experiencing death with the aid of faith; and Experiencing empathy in the possibility of the patient's death. The phenomenon is permeated with pain and discordance, as they find themselves helpless in the finitude of life and in need for personal preparation and professional support to experience death.
Oncology Nursing; Death; Qualitative Research