End of Life Care

@flapiz (23530)
United Kingdom
December 22, 2016 7:00pm CST
I had a really bad shift yesterday. 3 confused and leaning to aggressive patient and one depressed one. But what stressed me out the most was putting someone on a syringe driver with morphine, clonazepam, and haloperidol. It's like mercy killing. Although the patient is already good as dead and is suffering, I still feel terrible as I didn't become a nurse to end life but to save it. It really bugged me specially because I am Catholic by faith. Up to now I still can't reconcile with the situation.
3 people like this
3 responses
Timothy Roberts
@theBlock (2657)
• United States
23 Dec 16
@flapiz Good for you for helping others. You are doing something important in the world.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (23530)
• United Kingdom
23 Dec 16
I feel like I killed someone. I find consolation that his suffering will be ending.
1 person likes this
Timothy Roberts
@theBlock (2657)
• United States
23 Dec 16
@flapiz Don't feel bad---you are easing his pain
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (23530)
• United Kingdom
23 Dec 16
@theBlock I talked to my friend who is a nurse as well and he asked me if I'd rather make my patient suffer some more. I think he put some sense into me. I'm feeling better.
2 people like this
Sky
@skysnap (20152)
•
23 Dec 16
sorry to hear about that. i wonder how this situation can be tackled.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (23530)
• United Kingdom
23 Dec 16
Well normally if it's against someone's belief you could let someone else do it. But it was a busy ward so I had to do it. Morally it is wrong but if you really think about it you're just ending someone's suffering and the family's suffering too. You do have to carry the burden of it.
Cahaya
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
23 Dec 16
I'm sure that was a very tough situation for you. I can't imagine the dilemma that healthcare personnel have to go through every single day. I hope you will be okay!
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (23530)
• United Kingdom
23 Dec 16
Yes I'm still thinking about it till now. I hope I won't have to do such thing again. It's just that it is really against what I believed in but on the other hand I know it is right.
1 person likes this