What's the saddest thing you've seen in your career??

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How did it affect you and how do you cope with emotionally challenging situations?

Specializes in med surg, geriatric, clinical, pool.

The saddest I had ever experienced was a teenager who had been in a auto accident. He was a football player and him along with 3 others were in the accident. He wasn't breathing when he was found at the accident scene, but was revived. From then on he lived as a vegetable in a nursing home..he was tube fed, catheterized, couldn't communicate in any way.

He finally died about 2 yrs ago. Its sad to hear, but good that he did not have to live in such a way.

I have also witnessed many elderly pts who stoked and were kept alive just like this young man.

Why? It seems so cruel...no one ever visits them...they need total care...many have outlived their family members. We would not treat dogs, horses like that, why not be humane and let them go?

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