HOW DO you deal with daily sickness or death as a nurse

jemb · Feb 17, 2003

No, I never "get used to it". But as I find new ways and strengths in myself that help me cope, I am better able to assist my patients and their loved ones through illnesses and end of life transitions.

I am always sad to lose people that are dear to me, and it causes me pain to see others hurting because they have lost a loved one. That is the difficult part for me.

But I see this life as a journey in which life and death are inseparable. We all die- just some before others.

ohbet · Feb 17, 2003

It must be Gods will

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2003

What Russell said. Both times.

mario_ragucci · Feb 17, 2003

Please don't get bent out of shape, or think I'm nuts. Being a CNA in a hospital for a year, I look at life and death more mathematically. I enjoy life in general when i see all life as an equasion. Numbers of heartbeats, depolizeration rates, etc.

The emotion of death/loss is worst. So much of life has to do with what we do when were together anyway. Death is a situation where you become zero. It may be hard to see someone and see them die, potentially. people are usually given comfort care when dying. In the old days maybe death was a more horrific event. Of course you feel emotions and loss and saddness. Sadness is on that seesaw with happiness. So is life and death...to an extent.

karenG · Feb 17, 2003

I think Rusty said it ..........its what we do. its hard and I dont think it ever gets easy, especially when its a child. But it's what we do!

Karen

Sleepyeyes · Feb 17, 2003

Ultimately, i think we all grieve, in our own way. I found solace in the belief that i'll see all these people again one day in Heaven. I think of the body as a shell that houses our souls, and I believe that our souls are eternal.

I might add something that helps me get through taking care of the person's body after death: I say a prayer and think, "This is the last nice thing that I can do for this person, out of respect for the soul this body has housed."

emily_mom · Feb 17, 2003

Originally posted by Rustyhammer
Cashew,
I never intended to imply it was easy. I have mourned my patients deaths and have said a quiet "thank you" to the powers that be when someone was released from their suffering.
I cry with families.
I think of people who have died that have influenced me even though I knew them oh so briefly.
No, it's not easy but yet we do this job and we take care of the sick and the dieing and those who have lost someone.
It's what we do.
-Russell

I agree Rusty. I also believe we are there to make that passing as peaceful as possible for the patient and family.