What terms do nurses use to say the baby is trying to die?

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jul 21, 2008

I sometimes use something along the lines of "I think your baby is trying to tell us he's ready to go and play with the angels"

There aren't too many situations in which this is appropriate, but there are a few.

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2008

I would NEVER say this to a parent, but I've occasionally used "trying to go be with Jesus" for kids whose parents are Christians.

And you know how kids who have had a neuro insult will stretch their arms out real stiff? I say they're reaching for the light. Again, not in front of parents.

Or "trying for the level V NICU". I've heard the same phrase with level IV, but since that's a legit designation now, for our own unit, I go with five.

Olivereindeer · Jul 21, 2008

Just to clarify - we dont say this to the parents ever..just amongst ourselves.

texas2007, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2008

The phrases that come to mind are "trying to go to the light" or like steve said, "wants to play with angels", or "needs to go" etc. On that note... once while I was still on orientation, we coded a baby with severe pseudomonas sepsis/pneumonia and got him back for a little bit while parents were on the way...After the code was over and we were putting away everything, I saw him reach his arm up toward the sky and kinda look up in that direction. Gave me the biggest chills EVER. He passed in mom's arms an hour later... :saint:

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jul 23, 2008

I sometimes use the term "We're getting ready for a celestial discharge." (not in front of parents, obviously)

preemieRNkate, RN · Jul 23, 2008

All the ones you guys mentioned, plus sometimes transfer to the 20th floor (we have 19 floors in my hospital), circling the drain. None of these in front of parents of course.

cc_nurse · Jul 23, 2008

We use "going towards the light" , "voting himself off the island" and 'swirling" or "swirling the drain" pretty often. Never in front of parents-natch, but you have to cope somehow...

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2008

I totally used "trying to grow some wings" last night. Poor baby.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jul 24, 2008

None of these is suited for the parents;

"Hopping on the Jesus bus"

"Trying to climb in Jesus lap"

And many of the ones I saw above.

I guess it shows we are smack in the middle of the Bible belt.

Something we say to the baby (who is generally having an A&B)

"Step away from the light"

nsjbm2 · Jul 25, 2008

circling the drain

celestial discharge

going toward the light

crumping

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jul 25, 2008

DFO - Done Fell Out. (strictly southern term)

Tore up from the floor up.