This study aimed to understand the meaning assigned by a group of nursing professors on orthotanasia. This is a qualitative study with a phenomenological perspective. The study included five nurses from a private university of Minas Gerais State. Four categories emerged: Unpreparedness team in situations that refer to human finitude; Confronting the family in the process of finitude; Extension of human suffering in intensive care units; the perspective of palliative care in intensive care units. It may be concluded that reflections on the finality has been increasing but are still insufficient in contemplating the practice of professional nursing. It is observed that the difficulty in dealing with death is a common problem for health professionals. Further research is necessary to explore the difficulties and knowledge of nurses, encompassing orthotanasia and humanized in terminality.
Terminally ill; Palliative care; Right to die; Nursing care; Research