The Experiences of Nurses as Double-Duty Caregivers for a Family Member at the End of Life: Interpretive Description

Abstract

Increasing numbers of individuals with complex, advanced illnesses are living longer and being cared for in the home by family members. As a result, family caregivers often experience physical, emotional, psychological, and social distress. A unique subset of this population are nurses who find themselves providing care in both their family lives and work lives, a phenomenon known as "double-duty caregiving." This study explored the experiences of nurses providing end-of-life care for family members while continuing to work as a nurse and the consequences of this experience. A qualitative design, using semistructured, in-depth interviews, was used to capture the double-duty caregivers' experiences. Four overarching themes were identified: It Takes a Village, Driving the Bus, Juggling Many Hats, and Moving Through and Looking Back. These themes captured the components of a support system that are essential for the double-duty caregiver to perform this work, the multifaceted expectations placed upon the double-duty caregiver, the double-duty caregiver's relentless need to balance multiple roles, and the immediate and long-term impact of double-duty caregiving. As nurses, we must acknowledge the need for self-care during this experience, and as a profession, we must provide support for the double-duty caregiver to preserve their personal and professional well-being.