Understanding Death: Cultural Factors Affecting Nursing Students' Perception

Death is a universal phenomenon with varying meanings at both individual and societal levels. Today, most deaths occur in hospitals, highlighting the critical role of nurses in end-of-life care. However, research indicates that patient death is a significant source of stress for nursing students, who often feel unprepared to cope with it. Cultural factors play a key role in shaping individuals' perceptions of death, alongside personal beliefs, professional experience, and education. Nursing students must balance their personal and cultural values with their professional responsibilities, as cultural differences influence attitudes toward death and mourning. Some cultures openly discuss death, while others consider it a taboo, affecting students' experiences and emotional responses. Understanding nursing students' perceptions of death is crucial for enhancing their education and professional competence. Integrating cultural perspectives into nursing education can help students develop a more conscious and prepared approach to end-of-life care.

This study aims to explore the impact of cultural factors on nursing students' perceptions of death and propose strategies to enhance cultural sensitivity in education. Using the photo storytelling method, it will examine how students shape their perceptions of death through visual and narrative expressions, fostering deeper cultural awareness and emotional resilience in their professional practice. In this study, students meeting the inclusion criteria will be informed about the research's purpose and method and invited to participate. Those who agree will complete a Demographic Information Form. Participants will then be asked to submit three self-taken photos reflecting their perception of death within one week. Before taking the photos, they will receive guidelines on the procedure. Photos, along with date, time, and brief descriptions, will be sent via email to the lead researcher. The collected photos will be securely stored on the researcher's personal computer, coded, and preserved with transcripts for use during interviews.

Inclusion criteria

• Be a third-year student in the Nursing Department of a Health Sciences Faculty at a university in Ankara during the 2024-2025 academic year
• Own a smartphone capable of taking photographs
• Be willing to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Students who wish to withdraw from the study at any stage will not be included in the research.