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.

[Emma Peel]

On the opt in/opt out subject I like Illinois' approach: When you get a driver's license in Illinois, part of the process is signing a yes/no form about organ donation. I'm pretty sure the form is part of getting an Illinois state ID as well, since they come from the office that issues driver's licenses. I like this approach because it makes most adults decide, but it isn't automatic. People who want to be donors don't have to make a separate trip to do it, something many people would not get around to doing. But people who are opposed get to make their wishes known and not have a decision made for them. The only thing I think could be better about the program is they could have a bit more information/education about organ donation before having people sign the form.

--Emma "It is my body and I will do with it what I choose" Peel

[theofour]

Not donating your viable organs is a selfish decision. You wont be needing them anymore. It reminds me of a friend I had and we were discussing cremation versus burial. He was totally against cremation.

When I asked him why he said that if he ever had a chance to come back, there would be no body to come back to.

While organ donation is a personal choice, think of the good that you could do for someone that really needs it. Maybe it would be the last positive thing you could do with your life and body.

[RetiredTooSoon]

I am an organ and tissue donor and would have no trouble signing the consent forms for loved ones after their death.

Only about 2% of deaths, at most, allow one to be an organ donor, but many more can be tissue donors (Eyes, skin, bones, heart valves, tendons). Tissue donation can give life, mobility and sight. It's not as glamorous as organ donation, but it does amazing things.

[RetiredTooSoon]

I personally think that Organ donation should be an opt out rather than an op in....IOW you have to choose not to be an organ donor..........

I would love to see a law like that passed for organ and tissue donation. I'd also like to have it changed up here so that the family did not have to sign the final consent form-the donor's premortem wishes would be enough.

[sharpeimom]

yes, take any useful part of me... organs...eyes...skin... whatever.

sharpeimom:paw::paw:

[diane227, LPN, RN]

I am not a donor based on my religious beliefs. I don't mean to sound selfish because I know that organ donation helps others but I just cannot allow this. I will also not be cremated or buried below ground. I have a great phobia of fire and of being underground. Perhaps I need some therapy on this but that's just the way it is. I am planning to go into an crypt.

[Going2BaRN]

On June 6,2008 I donated a kidney to my dad. It was hands down the best thing I ever did. It caused me little down time (week and half) to save the life of someone I love. When I was younger I thought I would never do something like that, until it my dad went into renal failure. For years I knew it was coming, so maybe I have plenty of time to prepare. My dad was very resistant to the idea, since I am the mom of two young boys. Because my dad had a donor lined up he never went on dialysis.

I am still a donor and I want anything that is still good to be given to anyone who needs it.

And because of all this, one of my top picks of depts to work is any transplant unit.