Has being a nurse changed your outlook on...

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...how you would like your end of life care to be handled? After today I know I'd want care to be withdrawn if I ever got to a point that my pts were at today (terminal illness/stroke/vent/unresponsive). It just seems tortuous to put someone through all of that.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

ABSOLUTELY!

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Absolutely. I think it is horrible what is done to people in the name of love when they have no quality of life.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

And NO MORE FALLING VICTIM to unethical healthcare providers!!!!!!

Cancer doctor who misdiagnosed patients pleads guilty - Fox 2 News Headlines

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Specializes in Critical care.

Have a living will since age 35. Donated my body to science. I'm ready.

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

100%. Some of my patients in the MICU, I will do anything I can to avoid ending up like them. So many heartbreaking situations.

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.
Have a living will since age 35. Donated my body to science. I'm ready.

My dad donated his body to science,too. After seeing how compassionately the arrangements were made when he died, my husband & I made the decision to do the same. Out of curiosity, what organization are you using?

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My nursing experience has just reinforced what I already thought.

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After seeing several people with end stage COPD be put on BiPap because they didn't want a vent only to have their CO2 come down and they again become very aware of how suffocated they feel, I wouldn't want that either. If a CO2 retainer is dying and their CO2 is sky high, for pete's sake be merciful and leave off the BiPap! As their CO2 rises, they can just gradually go to sleep.

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Yes, my perspective has changed; I'm more informed for the better. I,too, need and advanced directive. I'm currently faced with the prospects of surgical intervention. I have a ton to consider, as the surgery could take me down a path I'm not willing to venture.

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Specializes in Critical care.

I live in Maryland so you go to Univ of Md.

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

I did actually look into the possibility of having DNR tattoo'd onto my chest! Turns out, it won't fly, not even with a tattoo'd Dr.'s order with tattoo'd signature and date. Pity.

My mother was an RN and she used to freak out the Dr.'s in the years prior to advanced directives; she'd wag her finger at them, saying, "And if God decides to take me, you WILL NOT ARGUE WITH HIM!"

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

I want my pain managed! Not a little bit, not PRN...I want drugs pushed around the clock. If I can handle the drugs, I want them. Whether I have a year of my life left or a week, I do not want to be suffering with pain.

I also don't want to be lectured about the "scary" side effects of opiates. Do not recommend meditation, the use of heat/cold, stretching, praying, eating, distraction or whatever alternative pain relieving ideas are out there. If I'm about to kick the bucket, I want drugs and the drugs which work. I'm pretty sure at that point in my life I won't give a rat's rump about tolerance, dependence or *gasp* addiction. I only want to be comfortable. If I am pain free and as high as a kite, so what?

I have a huge fear of being in pain because I have seen so many patients who have been under medicated.

It's so wrong.

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