What have you learned about Death?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey nurses!

Just seeking some words of wisdom based on experience that you have learned in the nursing field...

What have you learned about Death? On a personal, and professional level? What do you tell patients that are scared/worried about dying, or those that fear mortality? Are you yourself scared of mortality? Were you ever afraid of it, or has nursing helped you to cope and become more comfortable with it?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Sounds like homework. Are you supposed to be interviewing a nurse in person?

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Sounds like homework. Are you supposed to be interviewing a nurse in person?

Not at all. Sheer curiosity and something I've always wondered about. How working in healthcare can affect ones view on death.

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Not a nurse, but if you don't mind me answering....

My experiences involving the deaths of my clients have shown me that death is not a bad thing. Biggest realization for me.

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Specializes in ICU.

I have learned that people who die slow deaths (chronic disease, etc) and sometimes the fast ones are usually ready for it before it happens, even if they only become ready a few hours before. Had one lady who was saying, "I don't want to die" all night long... then she suddenly changed her tune to, "I'm ready to go. I'm tired and I need my rest." She died a couple hours after she made the switch. I have had lots of people like that - they just look at me and tell me they're ready. It's like there's a sort of peace that comes across people as part of the dying process. I find comfort in the fact that even if I think I don't want to die, that there's a good chance I'll make peace with it and be ready for it before it actually happens. That doesn't make it seems so bad.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

It is a privilege to work with the dying, to be there for them in their final season of life. There is so much to be learned, not only in the care of the body but the spirit. I have found the moment of death to be a sacred time when the body is left behind and the soul is freed from its earthly bonds. Death is not always an enemy; for some, it is a friend that delivers freedom from pain and sorrow.

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Specializes in Pedi.

I will preface this by saying I am a pediatric nurse. I have learned that there are fates worse than death and that I have the utmost respect for parents who are strong enough to say "enough is enough"

I stumbled upon this commercial today and it actually provoked a rather strong reaction in me:

I don't think it's an accurate portrayal of hospice. The patient shares her culture's customs with the nurse because she is ready and wants her soul to be set free and the nurse responds by saying "not tonight"? Then "Nurses Heal" flashes across the screen. Sometimes healing is not possible.

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I will preface this by saying I am a pediatric nurse. I have learned that there are fates worse than death and that I have the utmost respect for parents who are strong enough to say "enough is enough"

I stumbled upon this commercial today and it actually provoked a rather strong reaction in me:

I don't think it's an accurate portrayal of hospice. The patient shares her culture's customs with the nurse because she is ready and wants her soul to be set free and the nurse responds by saying "not tonight"? Then "Nurses Heal" flashes across the screen. Sometimes healing is not possible.

THANK YOU! I thought this exact thing when I saw that commercial. A completely inaccurate ending.

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Quoting my own post from several years ago...

I have attended many dying patients over the years. Several times, as I was comforting them, they have stopped talking to me, looked beyond where I was standing and called out.. Mom... or, Uncle Joe... what are you doing here? They both died within seconds. I once rushed into the room of a patient straight-lining and the song on the bedside radio was Stairway to Heaven.Next song was Turn the Beat Around!!! Now a firm believer someone comes to take us to the next level.

Since then.. I've learned , as a nurse.. death is my enemy. I'm supposed to keep patients alive.

On a personal level... I must force MY mortality out of my mind. So I can enjoy the living years.

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As a nurse, I've been trained to keep people alive. However, over the years I've learned it's not always the best case scenario. Sometimes it's more suffering for the patient and family for the patient to live. Sometimes it's better to have a good death...that statement is defined by the patient and family; not by me. My role then becomes a support person to ensure that happens as best as possible within the wishes of the patient and family.

Personally, I've seen a lot of death. I know we are all going to die eventually so I try to have more life experiences for myself and family (make memories) rather than buying more stuff that you can't take with you when you die.

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Death is okay. It's DYING that sucks.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Not at all. Sheer curiosity and something I've always wondered about. How working in healthcare can affect ones view on death.

I don't understand you. Questions about taking MDMA, LPN wages, death...you're not in nursing school.

I'm not sure what your purpose is in being here. I'm not trying to be rude, but this is a website for nurses or people actively working toward becoming nurses.

Is this just curiosity over different topics?

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