Being in a hospital can be daunting under routine circumstances and unimaginable when making life-and-death decisions. Nurses at the bedside may not realize the profound impact they have when tragedy happens. I know their influence firsthand.
The intense emotions of being the loved one of a dying person are difficult to capture in words. Processing of information is slowed and blunted. Fear of the unknown complicates the circumstances. Fortunately, I came in contact with an outstanding nurse who was assigned to our case. Working in health care does not prepare one for the receiving side of decision-making, i.e. being overwhelmed with emotions and fear while trying to do what is right but not knowing what right is.
It was a skilled bedside nurse who helped make sense of the senseless situation. She created an environment of trust, caring for her patient and everyone present. A nurse in a tragic situation is having an “Earth Angel.” I cannot stress enough the indispensable role they play. With patience and kindness, she answered questions over and over until the information was understood.
She treated her patient with respect and dignity, demonstrating great compassion for a dying person and everyone present during those final hours. Moving forward with the decision to change code status to comfort care was because of trust in the nurse’s abilities. That decision represents the impact nurses have in these critical situations. For the countless bedside nurses who are touching people’s souls daily, thanks for your vital role.
CRYSTAL PROULX
Bow