This qualitative study, which was based on hermeneutic phenomenology, aimed to describe decision making experience of critical care nurses that related to care during the transition from advanced life support to end-of-life care in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The study was conducted on 21 ICU nurses who had provided end-of-life care. Data were collected using individual in-depth interviews, verbatim transcription, and field note. Content analysis of Schreier’s method was used to analyze and interpret the data. Trustworthiness was established by following the Lincoln and Guba’s criteria.
Meaning of decision making experience of critical care nurses during the transition from advanced life support to end-of-life care was emerged from the data in five main themes: 1) the patient cannot move on, 2) advocacy for the patient, 3) find out for the solution together, 4) continuous exchange of information with family, and 5) supporting for good death. The findings provide a better understanding of the decision making experience of ICU nurses that would be useful in improving the quality of end-of-life care in ICUs.