Purpose: There is a lack of clarity regarding nursing roles and strategies in providing culturally meaningful end-of-life care to elderly immigrants admitted to Australian hospitals. This article redresses this ambiguity.
Method: A qualitative exploratory descriptive approach was used. Data were obtained by conducting in-depth interviews with a purposeful sample of 22 registered nurses, recruited from four health services. Interview transcripts were analyzed using content and thematic analysis strategies.
Results: Despite feeling underprepared for their role, participants fostered culturally meaningful care by "doing the ground work," "facilitating families," "fostering trust," and "allaying fear."
Discussion and conclusion: The Australian nursing profession has a significant role to play in leading policy, education, practice, and consumer engagement initiatives aimed at ensuring a culturally responsive approach to end-of-life care for Australia's aging immigrant population.
Implications for practice: Enabling elderly immigrants to experience a "good death" at the end of their lives requires highly nuanced and culturally informed nursing care.
Keywords: end-of-life care; gerontology; nursing practice; transcultural health.
© The Author(s) 2015.