Nurses and Organ Donation

[DolceVita]

I am curious about what nurses think of this personal choice.

Do you want your organs donated, assuming they are viable, after your death? What about the organs of a loved one (if they had left no instructions)?

Does anyone think nurses (and other HCPs) should become organ donors to show an example to the public?

What do you think?

Please note: No, I am not asking if nurses should HAVE to donate organs.

[NurseKitten, MSN, RN]

i'm assuming (yes, i know...:)) that mom or dad weren't there.

i just can't imagine such a scenario, w/parent(s)/spouse present.

leslie

No father in the picture, and it was both the mother's and girlfriend's choice not to be present. They were absolutely offered the option.

[leslie :-D]

No father in the picture, and it was both the mother's and girlfriend's choice not to be present. They were absolutely offered the option.

then yes kitten, it was indeed, beautiful.

leslie

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

Someone needs to be there for the patient as they die. someone was there for him as he passed and thats what was important. (I personally believe that the soul will stay in cases like this until someone says it is ok to go on to the next life.) if its too painful for the family than it falls to a provider to facilitate the transition.

[FixThebody]

This is nothing more or less than a personal choice and should remain so.

[83studentnurse]

I'm a donor and have been since I got my license. I won't need the organs after I'm gone!

I've heard the concern that doctors might not care to save you as much if you're an organ donor ... I find that hard to believe. Also, if the medics and doctors are concerned about preserving my organs, wouldn't they be doing whatever they could to keep me alive and keep my organs viable (for me if I live or for whomever I could donate to if I don't)?

I also don't see death as occurring at the moment they pronounce ... by the time I've been declared brain dead or whatever, I believe that I -- everything that makes me me -- am gone. If I'm declared legally dead in an OR with transplant teams around, that's fine. I'm already gone. I am concerned about how my family would handle the process of saying goodbye, so I've spent some time speaking with them about my wishes and making they'd be OK with what that entails.

[FixThebody]

See,,, Just as I said,,, It is a personal choice.

[gobux90]

It is definitely a personal decision and respecting a person's wishes, whatever they are, is most important.

I am more than willing to donate my organs - I want to help anyone/everyone I can once I die since that is what I want to do while I am alive. As most who are willing to donate have stated, I won't need them where I'm going - besides I want to be cremated - why waste them?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i'm planning to donate my organs and the organs of my family members. as far as requiring nurses to be organ donors to "set an example" -- that's impinging on people's rights to make their own personal decisions. that's wrong.

[ToxicShock]

Someone needs to be there for the patient as they die. someone was there for him as he passed and thats what was important. (I personally believe that the soul will stay in cases like this until someone says it is ok to go on to the next life.) if its too painful for the family than it falls to a provider to facilitate the transition.

Thank you for wording your beliefs in such a manner. I hate it when people will say something about God or the afterlife as though it were fact. To some people it is, to others it is not, and I appreciate the respect that you have shown by stating your beliefs like that :) Maybe you didn't mean to word it like that on purpose, but I just wanted to point out my interpretation anyway!

And now, back to your regularly scheduled organ donation debate!

[CountyRat]

I doubt that many people know who is or is not a doner, so I do not see how this would set an example.

My opinion: personnal choice.

My choice: You are free to do anything useful with my leftovers just as soon as I am done with them.

[oncrn17]

I am all for organ donation. What am I going to do with them if I am dying without a chance for survival? So many of the patients we care for could have a second chance with our hearts, lungs, corneas, etc. Don't r/o saying no to organ donation just yet.

[redheadedvixen]

The way I look at it is that I won't be needing those organs so someone who needs them should absolutely have them. I made that decision at 16 and have never waivered in that belief.