tbtg9878

All care-takers are subject to "burn-out".... It takes a very special and spiritual person to be able to assist, be therapeutic and empathetic without care resulting in "distancing oneself" from the patient and family. This seems only to be done by the grace of God who strengthens. My personal experience has observed some hospice nurses actually "hasten" the pt.'s death by injection, because they "saw the family panic" or the nurse was panicked. This "hastening" is a phenomena that is not written about in nursing. It's Nursing's "dirty little secret". I would interview any hospice nurse extremely carefully to make sure that they are compassionate within the appropriate boundaries, as defined by morales that reflect a respect for life as well as a "comfortable" death. I would hope that we as nurses do try to recall our patients and their families. It's the "human component" of our vocation. Any "burn-out" issues should receive peer support with team-mates and hospice chaplain. I actually pray for my patients and staff too!! Have a wonderful weekend!

I would like to say that I hope your kind of nurse would be my nurse at my end of life! Well done!