GRIEF RESPONSES BY NURSES Introduction This re

This research is a part of a study the purpose of which is to compare grief expression by emergency department nurses working with adults with the expression of grief by emergency department nurses working with children. This research includes a theoretical framework for the study, a literature review, and a statement of research assumptions.

The nursing theories of Joyce Travelbee and Jean Watson the basis for the theoretical framework for the study. Those aspects of the two sets of theory applicable to grief response are discussed.

Travelbee (1966, pp. 56) viewed nursing as an interpersonal process wherein the nurse, among other things, helps patients and their families to cope with the experiences of illness and suffering. Within this context, the twofaceted task of the nurse was perceived to be to become aware of how he or she perceived the patient, and to become aware of the extent to which he or she recognized the uniqueness of the patient as an individual (Travelbee, 1966, p. 139).

Travelbee (1966, p. 55) held that "the quality of nursing care given any patient is determined by the nurse's beliefs about illness, suffering, and death." Such beliefs, according to Travelbee (1966, p. 66) are influenced by the culture of which one is a part. Travelbee (1966, p. 57) observed that in an activity oriented society such as is found in the United States

there is a tendency to believe that all problems

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work, are expected to control their emotions (Davidhizer, 1993, pp. 3639). The environments within which professional nurses work, however, are frequently characterized by grief, death, and other crises that place powerful emotional pressures on the nurse (Davidhizer, 1993, pp. 3639). Davidhizer (1993, pp. 3639) suggested that, in the face of such pressures, both the professional nurse and her or his patients would often be better served if the nurse exhibited genuine emotion. Exhibiting genuine emotions, such as crying, should be reserved for selective situations that are characterized by overwhelming emotional pressures (Davidhizer, 1993, pp. 3639). Peopleoriented approaches to nursing, such as those of Joyce Travelbee and Jean Watson, are compatible with nurse behaviors that respond genuinely to devastating experiences. Malecride, Bomio, Matathie, Perrez, and Piazza (1990, pp. 79186) found that the primary sources of stress among nurses are death and dying. This study also found, however, that no statistically differences existed between the intensity of such stresses experienced by full time nursing and the intensity of such stresses experienced by part time nurses (Malecride, Bomio, Matathie, Perrez, and Piazz

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