I am a first-semester RN student and have been having my first few clinicals at the local geriatric center. It seems like a great facility -- the residents appear to be very well cared-for. Personally, I am loving the experience and I'm learning a lot.
Something today upset me, though, and I wanted to ask if it's the norm. I don't have any medical background and haven't heard of this. My patient's roommate is actively dying. He's 83 years old and I'm not sure of his dx. Anyway, the first thing I wondered about is why he's being assigned to students. My class is the second class that's had him this week. I would think I would want to be left alone. Is this normal, to give a dying patient in this setting to a student to care for? He had a fever and seemed so cold, and having to receive a bed bath from inexperienced students (although they were absolutely doing their best) seemed unnecessary. Cruel, even.
Second, his family has ordered that he be NPO. So far it's been three days, and all tx, fluids, etc., have been d/c. My classmate was doing mouthcare and it was all she could do to get the toothette out of his mouth, b/c he was sucking on it so hard. He is in and out of consciousness and doesn't talk but he seemed so miserable.
Anyway, this could be all r/t my inexperience, but I'm very sad about it this afternoon. Does anyone have any thoughts? tia.
it takes no special course in school to be compassionate and caring to a dying person. this isn't learned in school. students often have limited assignments and have the time to focus on the "little things" that a dying person can be comforted by. don't limit yourself by the courses you've taken so far in school. let your humanity come forth. you'll soon see the advantages of having a student assigned to your dying loved one and know your worth.
I think all doctors and nurses should take a palliative care course either in school or as continuing ed.
As previous posters have mentioned...hunger and thirst are not really felt. Feeding and providing fluids to someone actively dying is cruel, IMHO. They can drown in thier fluids. Often times we can give some meds that help "dry" them up.
Removing pictures and isolating someone at that time is cruel. I've had people do this, they clear the room and expect them to just die. How awefull. Alot of times families with gather around, hold a vigil and wisper to each other. I encourage them to speak normally...hearing really is the last to go.
Just an FYI, it could be his oral mucosa is dry. So it would just be a natural response to suck on something wet/moist. They make an oral moisturizer that one uses after oral care, to keep the tissue moist, I have found it wonderful! And can tell the residents like it.
Death is always hard to deal with. What helps alot of nurses, is knowing that sometimes QUALITY of life is more important than QUANTITY. I think students would be wonderful in your situation- the patient is not alone, and the student learns something you will never learn from a book- compassion. I think you will be one heck of a good nurse!!!!
Does anyone have any thoughts? tia.
mpccrn, BSN, RN
527 Posts
it takes no special course in school to be compassionate and caring to a dying person. this isn't learned in school. students often have limited assignments and have the time to focus on the "little things" that a dying person can be comforted by. don't limit yourself by the courses you've taken so far in school. let your humanity come forth. you'll soon see the advantages of having a student assigned to your dying loved one and know your worth.