Lethal injection nurse???

[Zhakrin]

hi everyone,

I just read that some states are looking into having nurses administer lethal injections to death row inmates. Since I have a questionable source my question will be hypothetical.

Would this be a p/t job you would consider?

How do you feel it fit/ or does not fit in to nursing?

I have very mixed feeling about this, i feel alot of anger when I think of people like Susan Smith (she the one who droend her kids right?). But I would not like anger to be my primary moviation in this context.

[l.rae]

I just wouldn't have the stomach for it. When I was going for my Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner cert., the local prosecutor tol us that the average education of jurors is 8th grade level. I sat through a jury selection and oh brother! I think they under estimated that. Scary huh. Philosophically, I believe in the death penalty but I am against it because of the potential for error. Anyway my mom always says there are things worse than death. I believe there should be HARD labor camps for these animals.. They should wish for death. No cable tv no airconditioning etc etc. I'd be willing to be cracking the whip!

[catlady, BSN, RN]

Physicians aren't being asked to administer lethal injections. It would violate their Hippocratic oath to do no harm.

We should not have any lower standard for nursing. We aren't some cheap substitute so doctors don't dirty their hands.

But I believe in capital punishment. Let the executioners who have always pulled the switch, dropped the gas tablets, tightened the noose, etc., continue their task, high-tech though it now is.

[Agnus]

Originally posted by l.rae

the local prosecutor tol us that the average education of jurors is 8th grade level. I sat through a jury selection and oh brother! I think they under estimated that

I wonder why. :stone

[nursing 101]

I'm sorry I would not participate in such a thing...

But just wondering why would they need an RN anyway? To make sure that the injection is really deadly or not? To make sure that the needle is sterile? I mean what's the reasoning? If you gonna kill someone why do you need somebody that has studied to preserve human life... To bring the sick back to health... To bring the almost dead back to life... I thought nursing was about nurturing, caring and preserving life... IMHO anyways...

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I think anyone who could follow a recipe could prepare and administer the injection. After all, if they make a mistake what could happen (the patient lives) and they can try again.

Student nurses could line up to start IV's on the condemned man, and why not save the body and harvest organs. Let them SAVE some lives before they go.

I personally think that life in prison is more appropriate, but you wouldn't catch me authorizing any suicide watches. If they want to check out fine. But if they want to work and better themselves I'm all for providing the library, teachers and counsellors to help them do that. I know, I know, honest hardworking people don't get those opportunities but if someone has been given the shaft earlier in life and they are willing to work right now, I want to support them.

[boobaby42]

Don't think I could kill somebody. I have tried very hard NOT to kill people when I give injections! I have a reccurring nightmare about hitting that nerve so close to the target in the gluteal muscle. I would never sleep again if I did that.

So, no not me. Unless, the individual on death row had hurt my child. Ok, I'm a hypocrit.

[nwootenLPN]

I am not against the death penalty, however I think it would go against our code of ethics. Nursing is a caring role, and we (should) strive to provide care and be non-judgemental. We care in a holistic manner and do all we can to meet the needs of "sick" patients. Obviously we have our opinions on how to deal with punishment of murderers, but our opinions must be left to ourselves. We all took the Nightingale Pledge.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I'd be in line right behind kewlnurse! My BIBLE speaks of "an eye for an eye...". Personally though, I think it should be TWO eyes for an eye.

You seriously need to re-read that passage if that's your interpretation of it. Hammurabi actually said an eye for an eye.

[Scrubby]

I personally believe the death penalty is barbaric. If someone is guilty then let them rot in jail for the rest of their life.

I think anyone who could participate in actively killing someone shouldn't call themselves a nurse.

I'm thankful I live in a country civilised enough not to resort to the death penalty anymore.

[Scrubby]

The man who murdered my first cousin with a tire iron for his small paycheck is currently on death row in Florida. He also killed several people from Florida through Ga and into NC before he was caught.

"Old Sparky" is no longer an option in Florida...too bad.

Frankly I really would like to see the eye for an eye extend to the means of capital punishment.

IE: child beaten to death......same

grandfather kicked to death...same

Kidnap victim brutalized......

Get the picture?

Quite frankly I feel nauseated reading your post. Sorry your relative was murdered but I'm reading a lot of hatred here and it's disturbing.

[Jonathank]

No way, no how. Not on a train, not in the rain. Not in a box, not with a fox. Not on a boat, not with a goat.

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

Just FYI, some of you are replying to posts that are 9 years old. :)