Serious Question

CCU NRS · Dec 22, 2003

because I want some replies and opinions here people!!!!! I am here actively waiting for some of you to dicuss this possibility.

CCU NRS · Dec 22, 2003

moving it up again I can not believe that 60 people have looked at this thread and no one has an opinion!!! Come on surely you have some opinion. Is he crazy and deserves to be in a Mental institute? Or did he kill like a serial killer which is not to say he is not crazy but understood right from wrong and chose wrong? Or is this such a sore subject that we don't want to consider giving him any personality at all because to do so might take something away from all of us?

I am flabbergasted there are usually plenty of opninons to go around here on allnurses

bellehill, RN · Dec 22, 2003

Ok, I'll bite. I have been following this case a little since I am in NJ and he worked at the hospital I am currently at. The main topic I keep having a problem with is...who said it was okay for him to give the lethal injections? If a patient is dying and on a morphine drip for pain that is different than taking responsibility for someone's life.

Like I said, I have only been following it a little. Yes I think he is unstable. I think the healthcare system failed these families when he was allowed to go from state to state and hospital to hospital without so much as a red flag being waved. From what I hear he is in a mental institute now, a little too late.

This nurse worked at the CCU at the hospital I am currently at. If he saw people suffering it could make him unstable, however, most people in ICU are sedated or "relaxed". Did these patients die from their disease? NO!!! They died from his over-medicating them...that is the problem.

I know I am rambling, forgive me since I haven't had my caffeine yet.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Dec 22, 2003

I honestly don't know what could have possessed Mr. Cullen to do his despicable acts. Your thoughts are certainly plausible. However, from the limited information I've read, not all of his victims were "terminal" so there goes the "mercy-killing" defense. I am very saddened for the victims' families and also betrayal of trust on part of the public. Our public image has been sullied, and now, more than ever, nurses' every move at the bedside will be scrutinized by suspicious family members.

As to why this dangerous nurse kept falling through the cracks and going from hospital to hospital--I am speechless. Perhaps nurse managers were desperate for any "warm body" to fill vacant RN bedside positions. Why were his suspicious actions not reported to the state BON? Perhaps his actions were not "dangerous" enough or there was not enough hard evidence. Perhaps it was just easier to fire nurse Cullen and send him on his not-so-merry way. Don't know:confused: A lot of people are now going to have a lot of explaining to do.

CCU NRS · Dec 22, 2003

I guess the crux of the biscuit I am looking for is was he already a killer or did he become a killer.

Obviously giving dig to stop a heart that would otherwise have kept beating is murder.. no if ands or buts ..he should be convicted.

But I have seen some nurses deal with loosing Pts in different ways from Cavalier to Healthy acceptance to depression from lack of detachment. I am just wondering if this sent him over the edge that was already crumbling.

I guess I am asking if nurses can see this as a but for the grace of God go I thing?

BarbPick · Dec 22, 2003

This man a self appointed judge, jury and executioner. Why are we even spending so much time on this?

CCU NRS · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by VickyRN
I honestly don't know what could have possessed Mr. Cullen to do his despicable acts. Your thoughts are certainly plausible. However, from the limited information I've read, not all of his victims were "terminal" so there goes the "mercy-killing" defense. I am very saddened for the victims' families and also betrayal of trust on part of the public. Our public image has been sullied, and now, more than ever, nurses' every move at the bedside will be scrutinized by suspicious family members.
As to why this dangerous nurse kept falling through the cracks and going from hospital to hospital--I am speechless. Perhaps nurse managers were desperate for any "warm body" to fill vacant RN bedside positions. Why were his suspicious actions not reported to the state BON? Perhaps his actions were not "dangerous" enough or there was not enough hard evidence. Perhaps it was just easier to fire nurse Cullen and send him on his not-so-merry way. Don't know:confused: A lot of people are now going to have a lot of explaining to do.

Here is the absolute bottom line you have perhaps found where some of the blame should lie.

Perhaps nurse managers were desperate for any "warm body" to fill vacant RN bedside positions.

do you wonder if there other nurses out there floating from place to place doing whatever they want to do?

CCU NRS · Dec 22, 2003

Originally posted by BarbPick
This man a self appointed judge, jury and executioner. Why are we even spending so much time on this?

I can't even think he saw it that way they had nothing to be judged for he was simply an executioner. It just makes me wonder everybody seems to have a good healthy fear of their own BON but are we actually policing each other with any type of criteria. How many nurses do you think might have noticed something a littel hinky about Charlie and just didn't want to get involved.

BarbPick · Dec 22, 2003

This man was self appointed, In his judgement the people should die. All by his choice and his methods. On his time schedule.

Psychopaths are always right, ask them, they will tell you.

This man is very much a Narcissist

http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-pe07.html