my first pt (and my CarePlan pt) passed away

[CeilingCat, ASN, RN]

I am not sure how I should be feeling. I just received news "my patient" for the semester passed away. I know I am not supposed to get attached to anyone, but I still don't feel prepared for this. I spent a lot of time with her, since she is my assigned Care Plan pt. And she reminded me a little of my grandma, who was also in hospice care in a long-term facility before passing away. Maybe it's just digging up some unresolved grief over my own grandma who was like a 2nd mother to me. I haven't been the same since my grandmother passed away.

I know she's in a better place. But it's still... weird feeling. She seemed like such a nice lady, and even in her advanced years she was still brushing her hair daily and wearing nailpolish and jewelry. I wonder if she knew she was about to die?

Should I go to my clinical instructor and talk to her about it, for some insight or advice or something?

Or am I supposed to puzzle this out of myself, an inevitable thing nurses must work through on their own?

How did you feel the first time a patient you spent a lot of time with passed away?

And I don't mean for this to sound selfish,but now I half a halfway-completed Care Plan. It's our big semester-long project, which my classmates can finish but I cannot. It's probably too late in the semester to start over. Any advice on how to close out a Care Plan when the patient passes away sooner than expected? What is the appropriate way to complete a report like this when I can't finish the interview sections?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

You have to ask your instructor how to proceed.

I'm sorry. I will say, though, that if you work with the elderly long enough you will feel a little sadness at their passing, but more relief that they are finally at rest.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

The first one of my pt was really tricky because we chemical coded him back to life, then the family signed a DNR and we got to sit there and watch the EKG go through all the phases of dying and my preceptor taught me about each level. It wasnt until I went home that night i realized I just witnessed someone die. I dont know how I got over it, I just did. I know that doesnt help much but everyone deals with it in different ways.

[rmkelly]

By all means talk to your instructor - a first death IS difficult. Actually, a lot are,.as far as your care plan you,re not selfish. There is a wealth you can do on end of life. Your care plan has the potential to be an extra special stand-out, I worked in a community hospital(the community I grew up in. I saw quite a few people I knew go to the next life. It was both a burden and a privilege.