Have you ever cried in front of the relatives?

[Purple_roses]

It's a very sad stage for one of my patients. Long story short, he is not getting the morphine that I believe he truly needs for comfort right now. I think he's in pain. The whole situation has been upsetting to me, and I cried right in front of his daughter, who then started crying as well. I felt bad because I feel like I should have been a better support.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Westieluv, those sound like horribly sad situations. I feel like NOT crying or showing sadness would have been inappropriate.

I disagree. I work with dying children. I have never cried in front of a family. It's not about me. It's THEIR loss when their children die. It's sad for the family but I don't feel sad or cry when the kids die. They were suffering. They had cancer that was never going to loosen its death grip on them. Now they are free.

I HAVE cried (in private) out of frustration about kids who weren't dying but were chronically ill with neglectful parents who probably would end up killing them because the state refused to act.

[Purple_roses]

Well I have an update. My patient's family decided to start the morphine. They decided this all on their own and were very much at peace with the decision. They seemed to have finally realized the reality of the situation and are letting their father go peacefully now. Thank you all for the advice and sweet words. I know that all my experiences won't end as well as this one, so I'm thankful for your stories of experience and advice.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The whole situation has been upsetting to me, and I cried right in front of his daughter, who then started crying as well.

I don't cry or tear-jerk over my patients because I can compartmentalize certain emotive issues rather well. However, please do not feel bad if you cried.

Shedding tears means you're human, that's all. A part of being human is feeling empathy for the suffering of your patient who was in pain. You obviously care.

[Pat_Pat RN]

I cried a few times with patients after losing my wife 2 years ago. I've been more "stable" lately though.