Not so long ago someone here wrote asking what was the point of caring for a DNR/Hospice patient when there were people who wanted to live that needed caring for? It was quite a lively discussion.
Just wanted to say that last night I had the honor and privilege of being present when two of our hospice residents passed over. It's a truly moving and uplifting experience to share this journey with them. I Hope the original poster of that message is still reading.
Thank you for this post, I have apologized and apologized, requested the topic to be closed...and yet...were still focusing on the topic. sigh. I have got so much to learn.
People, please do remember that this is the internet. Expressions and emotions are sometimes not felt. It is clear that the OP is sharing her recent experience caring for a population that some nurses don't understand. As a psych nurse in a psych facility, I don't deal with patients who are DNR/DNI or hospice. I appreciate these topics because I am gaining valuable insight.
Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.
Thank you for this post, I have apologized and apologized, requested the topic to be closed...and yet...were still focusing on the topic. sigh. I have got so much to learn.
Dont be too hard on yourself. The fact that you were able to reflect on your original post and realise that there was a problem with the sentiment expressed in your opening post says that you are open and keen to learn.
If you have the opportunity for professional development, I would recommend doing a short course on palliative/end of life care
Its not something you will use alot in the acute area, however being aware of the rationales behind comfort care, understanding the philosophy of palliative care will greatly increase your skill set. And if nothing else, the next time you get a DNR/palliative patient you will have a better understanding about their care
Stop apologizing. It was a good thread and a subject that needed to be discussed. You think your the only one who learned, I'm sure you not the only one who wondered. Discussion is a good thing. It is how we all learn, even if people are doing so silently, on the side lines.
I'm wondering how people make through nursing school with some of the ideas they have. This website can be a real eye opener.
Don't be surprised. Nursing school is just a glimpse into the profession. Topics and their length of coverage are often dictated by length of the program, clinical availability, and instructor preference. For example, the community college an hour away from mine spends a great deal of time on a psych unit, OB unit, and in the ICU. My community college did 5-weeks in OB, 5-weeks in psych, and ONE DAY in the ICU/PCU/SCU.
While advanced directives are addressed in many programs, sometimes the concepts get a little lost. When I was in school, we had a very brief (2-day) coverage on palliative care, hospice, and death/dying. I left nursing school with a very limited understanding of the differences in these settings, and even less of a grasp on how to handle death and dying. I did one a one day rotation with a palliative care nurse, and many of my peers didn't even get that.
I've learned that actual experience as an RN in these settings is what will guide you and shape your understanding. So long as you're willing to be taught and willing to have your opinions change, I think that's the important part.
Holy shiitake mushrooms. I'm glad to see the OP had a turnaround on that post, but wowsers. Probably good I missed it. And hey, cholmes1223, if nothing else your thread may help educate others and prevent them from stepping in the same pothole.
Thank you for this post, I have apologized and apologized, requested the topic to be closed...and yet...were still focusing on the topic. sigh. I have got so much to learn.
You are refreshing. Not only are you still here, but you are open to the constructive criticism you're receiving. (Ignore the non-constructive, some of us are A-holes sometimes, me included)
You will learn a lot from the nurses here on AN. I know I have, and I'm not even officially in NS yet.
Not many people come here and learn from the feedback they get, mostly they just get defensive and don't come back.
Maybe this makes me a jerk, but I was not at all comforted by the fact that the poster who questioned "what is the point of caring for DNR patients?" eventually was brought to understand the error of his ways. I didn't view that as a "Yay team! we educated a new nurse on their journey of discovery" moment. I viewed it as a "Oh my God, what is going on here?" moment.
Maybe this makes me a jerk, but I was not at all comforted by the fact that the poster who questioned "what is the point of caring for DNR patients?" eventually was brought to understand the error of his ways. I didn't view that as a "Yay team! we educated a new nurse on their journey of discovery" moment. I viewed it as a "Oh my God, what is going on here?" moment.
Seriously? Cut him some slack. He did not make an error. He did not kill a patient. He asked a question about something he didn't fully understand. And even though he was railroaded on here, he said he learned something. Are you expecting him to be perfect? We don't come out of nursing school equipped with all the tools that make us a great nurse. A lot of it is learned and experienced. At least he asked and was willing to learn. Cut him some slack.
Ok...a little on topic, a little off topic. Why do some of you--who I assume are relatively healthy--have DNR papers already? Are you a DNR whenever you are hospitalized? Or are you talking about a well-written living will that would go into effect if your chances of meaningful recovery are slim?
I've seen some patients with CAD and DM get resus'd and leave the hospital to go home in fairly good shape. There's no way I would be a DNR right now.
Maybe this makes me a jerk, but I was not at all comforted by the fact that the poster who questioned "what is the point of caring for DNR patients?" eventually was brought to understand the error of his ways. I didn't view that as a "Yay team! we educated a new nurse on their journey of discovery" moment. I viewed it as a "Oh my God, what is going on here?" moment.
I feel like you work LTC, right? If so, I just wanted to point out that DNR, in the LTC setting is so much more common than in the acute setting.
In LTC, we were concerned with what patients were full codes, so we knew who we had to do CPR on in the event they coded, because 8/10 patients were DNR. In the hospital setting it was the DNR patients that were few and far between and I've noticed a big difference in the mentality surrounding that status between the two levels of care.
I keep trying to make my point further but I"m wicked tired and thats all I got.
cholmes1223
42 Posts
Thank you for this post, I have apologized and apologized, requested the topic to be closed...and yet...were still focusing on the topic. sigh. I have got so much to learn.