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Nurses´ experiences of caring for women having second trimester pregnancy terminations for fetal anomalies through labour induction are not well understood. Therefore, interpretive (Heideggerian) phenomenology was used with the goal of interpreting and understanding eleven nurses´ experiences. Through the analytic process, Doing Taboo Work emerged as the primary and overarching theme of the meaning of the nurses´ experiences. Although doing taboo work was fundamental to the meaning of the nurses´ experiences, the meaning of their experiences also comprised four essential themes which were directly related to the overarching theme. These four essential themes were (a) Making Choices, (b) Being Pulled in Two Directions, (c) Being Given Token Bones, and (d) Riding an Emotional Roller Coaster. These nurses showed great resiliency by continuing to work with the women and babies. The reason that the nurses came to work each shift even realizing that their taboo work was "tough", "hard", "difficult", "sad" and "emotionally draining" was knowing that their care does "make a difference".

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Susan E. Bishop, RN, BScN, MSc, PhD: Dr. Bishop has been a registered nurse for over 20 yrs. She has held several positions in clinical practice, research, and education. Dr. Bishop is an Assistant Professor in the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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