Introduction: Euthanasia is defined as an intentional act of ending the life of a person who explicitly requests it and suffers severely due to incurable or irreversible medical conditions. Nurses are often the first to be confronted with a request for euthanasia, as they have the most frequent contact with patients in hospital settings. In providing comprehensive patient care, nurses need a deep understanding of euthanasia to develop the ability to recognize patients’ concerns, respond appropriately to their needs, and provide adequate care to both patients and their relatives. A key factor in nurses’ decision-making about involvement in the euthanasia process in regions where euthanasia is legalised, and the provision of quality nursing care is their attitude toward euthanasia. Understanding what influences this attitude can enable appropriate support for nurses in the process of euthanasia and assist in establishing sound legal frameworks. These frameworks provide nurses with a sense of security and empower them in their decision-making, thereby enabling them to offer high-quality care to patients.
Purpose: The purpose of this diploma work is to identify the determinants or factors that influence nurses' attitudes toward euthanasia.
Methods: A descriptive method of reviewing professional and scientific literature was used. Literature was collected through the databases and search engines EBSCO-host, PubMed, and ScienceDirect between February 2025 and April 2025.
Results: Due to the diversity of findings, the identified factors influencing nurses' attitudes toward euthanasia were categorized into four main groups: socio-demographic characteristics of nurses, professional characteristics, legal framework around euthanasia of different countries, and patients' conditions. We found that no single factor determines a positive or negative attitude toward euthanasia, but rather that these factors are interconnected. Discussion and Conclusion: A comprehensive approach to understanding nurses’ attitudes is essential, encompassing multiple aspects rather than focusing on a single specific factor. Euthanasia continues to be a subject of global debate, and with it, the role and attitudes of nurses as direct participants in the process. Their attitudes remain dynamic, shaped by legal frameworks, the defined role of nurses in euthanasia, and societal norms. With that we can assume, that the factors influencing these attitudes will continue to evolve.
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