Family Drama and Nursing

[Sorebeth89]

I am a nursing student and I have seen some pretty dysfunctional families the last couple of weeks. The dysfunction seems to stem from the children or spouse not being able to accept their loved ones death. How as a nurse is the best way to approach those who cannot accept what you know is the inevitable...death?

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Familiarize yourself with Kubler-Ross stages of grief. Two days after a loved one's death, whether expected or not, the family member will most likely still be in a state of shock.

I don't think you've seen dysfunction as much as you've seen grief.

Very true. Every once in a while we'll see the truly dysfunctional wanting to hold on for selfish reasons... but the vast majority love their family member, see all this medical technology, and in my case the "Level 1 Trauma Center" sign outside the hospital entrance. They have hope that their loved one will get better, and they don't want to lose their loved one.