Children’s near-death experiences: tales from nurses - a content analysis study

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Near-death experiences (NDEs) are rare but profound phenomena that have also been reported in children. However, most existing research has focused primarily on adults, and evidence regarding pediatric NDEs remains limited. This study explored pediatric nurses' observations and accounts of children's NDEs using a qualitative approach. METHODS: A conventional qualitative content analysis design was employed. Thirteen nurses working in pediatric oncology and intensive care units of a children's referral hospital in Kermanshah, Iran, were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and August 2025. Data were analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman (2004) approach and managed with MAXQDA 2020 software. RESULTS: Three main categories emerged from the data: soothing perceptions, encounters with individuals, and emotional reactions. These were further organized into six subcategories: enveloped in light, secure companion, unknown observer, invitation to play, seeking security, and anxiety. CONCLUSION: Children's NDEs, as reported by nurses, are multidimensional phenomena involving feelings of peace, perceived interactions with figures, and emotional responses. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing the psychological and spiritual dimensions of children's end-of-life experiences and supporting nurses in responding to them with empathy and understanding.