Meaning in life and self-esteem help hospice nurses withstand prolonged exposure to death

Aim The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between the presence of and search for meaning in life and self-esteem, psychological distress, burnout and affect among hospice nurses. Background The nature of hospice nursing may prompt existential concerns. Method Hospice nurses (N = 90) completed an online survey. Results The presence of meaning in life was associated with lower psychological distress, burnout and negative affect, and higher levels of positive affect, whereas the search for meaning in life was only associated with higher negative affect. Self-esteem mediated the relationship between the presence of meaning in life and psychological distress, burnout and negative affect. Conclusion The presence of meaning in life promotes self-esteem, which then buffers against negative outcomes. Implication for Nursing Management Although managers cannot directly instil meaning in life in hospice nurses, they may be able to help nurses to find or maintain meaning by promoting policies that allow them to participate in meaningful personal, cultural or religious activities. Additionally, managers of hospice nurses could connect them with resources (e.g. mentors, counsellors or chaplains) to cope with the existential demands of providing end-of-life care.