With the recent ruling in New Mexico to allow physician assisted suicide for the mentally competent terminally ill, it made me wonder current views on physician assisted suicide. I found a topic on this from 2007, but a lot changes in 7 years.
I personally believe that every person has the fundamental right to choose if they want to die. As a nurse I would refuse to administer the medication but that is because I don't want to be responsible. As a future NP I would also refuse to prescribe it (for one because I think that's way out of an NP's scope) because I would not want the moral liability.
As far as suicide being a sin: What is a "sin" is determined by each individual person, and is between them and G-d. No one should be forced to suffer.
I wish there was a way to make it available to the incompetent also, patients who are in a persistent vegetative state or severely debilitated... I think PAS is much more humane than pulling someone's G-Tube and letting them starve to death... But that's just me.
There are a thousand different ways for a human being to end their own suffering. Most of them can be accomplished without the assistance of another person. I disagree with the idea that society has to place it's stamp of approval on that action, by making it legal.
I find it curious that so many people consider assisted suicide ok, but don't want to be involved.
I work with a young nurse who supports AS. Then they pushed the dose of Morphine they thought ended the life of their DNR pts life. The anguish on that nurse's face was painful to see. Apparently there is a difference between theory and reality.
I don't think that it is a "stamp of approval" issue as much as it is a humane right. Also, why does it matter that people approve of it but don't want to be involved? Why does one believe that their personal beliefs and morals should be the beliefs and morals of someone else? I totally approve recreational marijuana but don't want to smoke weed or be around stoned people. I think abortion should be legal but I would never get one myself...
Maybe I'm just weird but I think that whatever a person wants to do, as long as it doesn't hurt someone else- go for it. You have that right. You want to commit suicide and this doctor has a painless way for you to do it and wants to help you? Why would I say no? No one is doing anything wrong, they are exercising their freedom of choice.
Thanks for the info. They should definitely see about sprucing up the flavor a bit and that really is a good thought... To die in your own bed at home, family members (and pets) by your side on your terms. That just seems so peaceful to me, especially in cases where a person has been sick for a very long time, has lost all control over their life and their health. Also what great closure for the family to have a planned "ok on this day at this time, I will die. It is my choice, I am not in pain, I am in a better place and I love all of you"... I really wish this were available everywhere.
Much better than finding your grandma hanging in the garage or dad with no face in a pool of blood in the bathroom or sitting in ICU as they turn off the vent and pressors 2 long months after your mom tried to take a bottle of benzos.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I don't think that it is a "stamp of approval" issue as much as it is a humane right. Also, why does it matter that people approve of it but don't want to be involved? Why does one believe that their personal beliefs and morals should be the beliefs and morals of someone else? I totally approve recreational marijuana but don't want to smoke weed or be around stoned people. I think abortion should be legal but I would never get one myself...
Maybe I'm just weird but I think that whatever a person wants to do, as long as it doesn't hurt someone else- go for it. You have that right. You want to commit suicide and this doctor has a painless way for you to do it and wants to help you? Why would I say no? No one is doing anything wrong, they are exercising their freedom of choice.
I would agree with you about persons having the right to do what they want to do as long as it doesn't hurt someone else. I'm fine with recreational marijuana, abortion and same sex marriage. But the thing is, if we legislate physician assisted suicide, someone is going to have to participate in that suicide. And that's going to hurt them.
I totally see where you are coming from and I do agree, which is why I would never participate in it. I have always said that a lot of the things that we do for dying patients isn't for the patient, it is for the family.
I just think that there are people out there who could participate and would not be hurt by it.
Going off of the logic and saying "someone else would have to participate and that's going to hurt them" is the equivalent to saying "She shouldn't be allowed to get an abortion because it is going to hurt the physician that performs it".
You don't think that it should be the provider's decision whether or not it will have a negative impact on their life?
I've got to say that in pretty surprised by how many people agree that PAS should be available to anyone. I was expecting like 40% never allowable and 40% terminally ill with like 10% undecided. Very interesting.
I've got to say that in pretty surprised by how many people agree that PAS should be available to anyone. I was expecting like 40% never allowable and 40% terminally ill with like 10% undecided. Very interesting.
I am curious as to your position...I really am.
With an ever increasing older population, an increasing amount of people have known someone or have dealt with end of life care, how complex the process of death can be; and how palliative care may have or helped the process.
This is not assisted SUIcide. Sui=first person reflexive, "myself." This would be homicide.
I wish there was a way to make it available to the incompetent also, patients who are in a persistent vegetative state or severely debilitated... I think PAS is much more humane than pulling someone's G-Tube and letting them starve to death... But that's just me.
Where is the line between homicide and allowing a natural death occur? There are some circumstances putting a feeding tube could be considered assault and battery (like when it's not wanted but family insists). Not afraid to die but afraid of dying with a feeding tube and a trach!
With an ever increasing older population, an increasing amount of people have known someone or have dealt with end of life care, how complex the process of death can be; and how palliative care may have or helped the process.
and that really is a good thought... To die in your own bed at home, family members (and pets) by your side on your terms. That just seems so peaceful to me, especially in cases where a person has been sick for a very long time, has lost all control over their life and their health. Also what great closure for the family to have a planned "ok on this day at this time, I will die. It is my choice, I am not in pain, I am in a better place and I love all of you"... I really wish this were available everywhere. 
SL2014
198 Posts
I don't think that it is a "stamp of approval" issue as much as it is a humane right. Also, why does it matter that people approve of it but don't want to be involved? Why does one believe that their personal beliefs and morals should be the beliefs and morals of someone else? I totally approve recreational marijuana but don't want to smoke weed or be around stoned people. I think abortion should be legal but I would never get one myself...
Maybe I'm just weird but I think that whatever a person wants to do, as long as it doesn't hurt someone else- go for it. You have that right. You want to commit suicide and this doctor has a painless way for you to do it and wants to help you? Why would I say no? No one is doing anything wrong, they are exercising their freedom of choice.