near death experience

TigerGalLE, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2007

No but when I was in nursing school, one of our instructors told us about a horrible accident she was in. She was in a coma for about a month. She said that the entire time she was in a coma she could hear and understand what people would say. She said that there were many times when doctors and nurses would talk about how she wouldn't make it through the night. She said it was the worst thing she had ever experienced. She couldn't move, talk, or open her eyes but she could hear everything.. She made a full recovery by the way.

So just remember this when dealing with patients who you think can't hear you.

chuck1234 · Apr 10, 2007

I have a year experience in Med-Surg and almost 7 months in ICU....I have never heard of any near death experience undergone by my patients...but that does not mean near death is not real....perhaps, I should spend more time to talk with my patients....

Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN · Apr 10, 2007

I had a pt that had a cabgx5 and been in a coma for 2 months. We never thought she would recover. She had arrested twice. She told me she had felt like she was floating when she arrested and saw everything we did and said from above the entire time. She described it like a dream feeling.. She also told me some things that happened while she was in the coma. I had already quit from the hospital and had gone to work for her cardiologist and she came in and remembered me. When she was in CCU on of the nurses came in and the middle of a night shift and told her she needed to repent that night because she was going to die and go to hell if she didn't. I was horrified someone would do that. She even described him. She said that it made her so mad that she was determined to stay alive, so she could report him. Then she asked me if I knew who it was and would I help her. I told her absolutely. After she left the office I took her to the director of CCU and let her tell her story. I told the director who I thought it was. My patient called me two weeks later and she had been notified that the nurse in question had been fired.

I hadn't thought about that incident in 25 years until today.

So I guess the moral of the story was keep your religious zealousy out of a comatos pt room and be very careful of what you say

I know that another thread was that topic but the near death experience of my patient was also part of the story.

I retired from nursing after 30 yrs and remember so many really good stories. I do miss working esp. CCU/ICU. I dream about it a couple of times a week.

judy ann · Apr 10, 2007

I had a near death experience as a child. I was about 7 or 8 yoa, and wading in a lake that had been a gravel pit. I "walked off the edge" and suddenly was in deep water. I couldn't swim, and began to fight to keep above the water. After a short time, I thought "I 'm going to drown, so I might as well give up.

I experienced the most wonderful and loving feelings ever. I don't remember seeing anyone, or going through a tunnel of light, but I remember beautiful music and beautiful colors, and feeling so very loved and safe.

My problem was noticed on the shore, and one of the adults came and drug me out. I required "artificial respiration" (at that time, it was back pressure/arm lift). I was really ticked. I didn't want to come back. I understand why the victims of drowning fight their rescuers. They don't want to come back.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2007

I think the lesson here is to at least pretend our patient is able to hear us and make appropriate statements that console and comfort (I am turning you now so you might be a little more comfortable). Will also help the nurse remember the patient is a human being.

lilbitloa · Apr 12, 2007

thank you all for responding. there are some books out there about this very subject. i am headed for the library.

JTwin · Apr 14, 2007

There's a great site about these experiences and what can be learned from them: http://www.near-death.com.