Near Death Experiences

Nurses General Nursing

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How many nurses have encountered patients who claim to have had a near death experience and what have they stated to you... I have a patient who is a quad due to a history of drug abuse. One night patient X was having a great deal of anxiety so I gave him his prescribed antianxiety med. I stayed with him for awhile until he calmed down and he told me a story of how once when he was hospitalized he died on the table. He went on to say that it was as if he were floating above his body and that he could see them working on him to try to bring him back. He use to work in the hospital and assisted in some way with codes so he new what the team was doing. I asked him if he saw the bright light that is often talked about and he said "NO"! What he recalled was after he drifted away from seeing the team working on his body that there was no bright light to lead him on his way, only darkness... Then he was suddenly being pulled back into his body. This was the story that he told me and the source of his anxiety tonight, the fact that he saw no bright light and only darkness... I have to wonder how truthful he was being with his story and I'm not quite sure that I believe what he was saying. He is a drug abuser and I think possibly he wanted me to tell the doctor he needed a higher strength of antianxiety medication? I stayed with him until he was calm and then checked on him later and he was asleep. I haven't wanted to bring it up since then. Has anyone else had any experiences with this sort of thing, near death experiences?:eek:

Wow, Mc40421 - thanks for sharing! That is awesome! :)

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That reminds so much of a friend of mine. - She had an accident that required surgery - she described that she had seen the bright light and similar things to the peacfulness and really wanted to stay there - however she was told to go back she had to care for her little ones (at the time this is 16 or so years ago) by her husband who had died 3 weeks before their third child was born (electrocted) He said she had to care for them and other things - She felt that after he died he was very close for a long time -

Every birthday and special times she goes to the graveside and shares a drink and talks with him.

I must ring her now and tell her l am thinking of her.

Regards Tookie

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I don't know if this counts as after life experience. But I was stricken down with bacterial meninigitis. I came out of it okay. One day I was laying in my bed not really sleeping and I saw who I come to know as Jesus he looked back at me and never said a word but I open my eyes with a sense of peace I didn't know what to do. Your stories bring so much hope that there is a pleasant way after life. For those who did experience something negative this is a chance to make things right for yourself. :-)

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I would like to share an experience I had. I am a Christian and I believe that there is a heaven and a hell. But when you are in your flesh you may sometimes fear death due to how it will happen, will it hurt, etc....and your kids and your spouse. Well one night I had a dream/vision and I was speaking with a person who I know was an angel. It wasnt a woman or man. It was like one of those people you just cant be sure (like Pat). Well I was asking the angel was it my time to go and the angel said not yet and proceded to tell my I had more time and knew how much time but I cant remember the number now. But I felt this peace. I mean I was ready to go. I didnt think about my kids or my husband I just wanted to go then. No fear whatsoever. Not a second thought to going back. I woke up and told my husband and I said "I didnt even worry or give you guys a second thought!" I know that sounds cruel but for anyone who knows me, I worry for my kids and husband. And it must have been awesome for me to just want to walk away. For months I was not burdened with that fear of death. I was not even afraid of how it would happen because I know the peace. But as time goes on...I'm losing the boldness but thanks God the peace is still with me. But the experience has freed me to be a better caregiver. I dont know how but I can give more.

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Shantony - your quote, Prayer of Jabez.. excellent book, did you read it?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

This subject is FASCINATING! I was once floated to ICU where a pt had an outrageous fever, altho how high, I do not recall. The charge nurse was calling family ( a huge one full of Christian Faith and love) and clergy in preparation for her death. She and the patient's dr. even said, if this lady ever emerged from her coma, she would be brain dead. Well surprise, they were wrong. Everyone in the family was praying over her....telling her how she was still needed here. And she emerged from the coma fully intact with amazing stories of Heaven, the Light and of great comfort in the afterlife. She said she would never fear death again and looked forward to it when it was the Lord's will. She was a medical marvel, to be sure and a fascinating lady to listen to after this experience! She was fully healed!

Also, If you ever want to read more, I recommend any book by Sylvia Browne. She is a renowned psychic and her books are very convincing and comforting. Whether or not you believe in psychic phenomena, READ THESE BOOKS! They have brought me such peace about dying, a thing I have always feared horribly. Her books describe a wonderful life after death on "The Other Side" and really make one think! GREAT THREAD!

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Specializes in ED staff.

After my daughter was born, I was pre-eclamptic with her, the hospital I was in had sorta an ICU in the L&D area and I stayed in there for a couple of days. I had Mag going and my BP got a little low. They came in and told me that they were putting my daughter in NICU because she wasn't breathing right. Under ordinary circumstances I would have been freaking out. I was at such peace when the neonatologist came in to talk to me that all I said was OK. I knew in my heart that God was going to take care of us and he did, she graduated from HS last with with a 3.5 average. I don't know if it was the low BP, endorphins or the presence of God that made me feel at such peace, I know I've never felt that way again. Was a wonderful feeling that I didn't ever want to end.

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About 25 years ago I read a book on this subject. This is the first time I have heard personal stories. Thank you all for telling your personal experiences. It was an honor and pleasure to read this thread.

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I took care of a young nurse who had a vascular brain tumor - she was 25 weeks pregnant at the time the tumor was discovered. She made it through surgery fine and had minimal residual damage - except for swallowing issues. She went up to the step down unit and they believed she aspirated. She developed ARDS and we ended up putting her on adult ECMO.

She survived this episode albeit after miscarrying the baby and she had residual lung damage. She told us she remembered having a choice about returning to her husband and two year old OR going on. She said she saw her husband and 2 year old walking away and thought - No thats not right - regardless of the pain I want to be with them. And she ended up surviving and rejoining her husband and 2 year old. It gave me goosebumps.

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