The specialty I would like to work in as a RN is acute care neonatal/pediatric.
I am aware that RNs only assist in "end of care" procedures which I have no problems with but for nurse practitioners,being advanced nurses, do they assist in ordering the patient's ventilator to be turned off? I've only heard doctors being able to do it after consulting with other physicians and of course family.
Working in neonatal/pediatric icu is not an easy feat and I know this but since I want to enter grad school to specialize in both of these specialities, I want to make sure what NNP & PNP do for this procedure.
I ask this because I couldn't bring myself to order a child be taken off of life support. Although I am aware it isn't assisted suicide.
If you would Please answer in the structure below(of course add anything extra if you like):
Since you are not a Nurse, but a student, I will cut you a little slack in my advice.
Being a Nurse is to advocate for your patients, to serve their healthcare needs at that time. This is not about what *YOU* like, what you do not like, or what you believe is sad or terrible. None of these matter because you are the Nurse, and at that moment the patient matters-not you. If you cannot be an advocate for your patients and families, and uphold dignity and quality of life, I question why you want to be a Nurse.
Some of my best Nursing moments, where I felt as if I really helped people, have taken place during the dying process. Sometimes good "health care" is not just about saving a life, but ensuring a painless, dignified death.
This is is so true!! You end up being that rock for that family to lean on. You are there with them throughout the process from beginning to end. I find it very humbling.
This is one of the reasons why I don't see the point of planning a grad school career before getting some experience in the relevant specialty first. If/when you work in NICU and/or PICU, not only will you actually gain an understanding of what an advanced-practice nurse role is in those specialties, you'll understand the implications of that role (like the fact that, as other people have said here, a planned and humane withdrawal of treatment can be infinitely better than prolonging life at all costs).
NurseGirl525, ASN, RN
3,663 Posts
This is is so true!! You end up being that rock for that family to lean on. You are there with them throughout the process from beginning to end. I find it very humbling.