Children’s near-death experiences: tales from nurses - a content analysis study
BMC Nursing June 8, 2026 Poria Moradi, Alireza Abdi, Ameneh Amiri Kolehjoubi
Children's near-death experiences (NDEs), as reported by pediatric oncology and intensive care nurses, involve soothing perceptions, encounters with individuals, and emotional reactions. Nurses described children feeling enveloped in light, having a secure companion, seeing an unknown observer, receiving an invitation to play, seeking security, and experiencing anxiety. These findings suggest pediatric NDEs are multidimensional phenomena encompassing peace, perceived interactions, and emotional responses, highlighting the need for empathetic nursing care that acknowledges the psychological and spiritual dimensions of children's end-of-life experiences.