OBJECTIVE: Encountering dying patients with implicit existential questions requires the nurses to have positive and comfortable attitude to talking about existential issues. This paper describes the nurses' reflections on existential issues in their communication with patients close to death.

METHODS: Nurses (n = 98) were recruited from a hospital, hospices and homecare teams. Each nurse participated in five group reflection sessions that were recorded, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS: Three domains and nine themes emerged. The content domain of the existential conversation covered living, dying and relationships. The process domain dealt with using conversation techniques to open up conversations, being present and confirming. The third domain was about the meaning of existential conversation for nurses. The group reflections revealed a distinct awareness of the value of sensitivity and supportive conversations.

CONCLUSION: This study supports the assertion that experience of talking about existential issues and supporting environment make nurses comfortable when counselling patients close to death. It was obvious from this study that having the courage to be present and confirming, having time and not trying to 'solve' every existential problem were the most important factors in conversations with the patients close to death.