Nursing 304 Assignment: My First Experience with Death
Introduction
My first experience with death founded my passion for nursing. Amidst the spinning tornado of emotions that struck me on that day, I was shown true compassion by a stranger, by a nurse. For all that he did for me and my family, I will forever be grateful, and as a student, I hope that I will be able to follow his example. I have found my bucket list to be ever-changing and does not highlight my relationship with death. Additionally, I am hesitant to write my eulogy due to recent personal experiences, so at this time I did not feel that this would be an appropriate choice for me. That is why my first death experience was the optimal choice.
My First Death Experience I remember …show more content…
It helped to prepare me for the many deaths I have seen and will see, both from my friends and family, but also in my clinical practice. I was given the opportunity to have a better understanding of some the emotions a person can experience when they lose a loved one. Therefore, I have been able to develop a greater empathy for the families of patients I encounter during my practice. Also, since this first experience, I, with the help of my mom, have been able to talk more openly about death, and she has even shared her death wishes with my family and I. Personally, I feel that these conversations are important, as they begin the process of allowing individuals to have their wishes respected when the time comes. Additionally, although there was hardship from my grandfather’s death, upon reflection, I feel that were aspects of his care that went well. He had his wishes respected, he and his family had support and room to process death, and he went with well-managed symptoms that gave the appearance that he was sleeping when he passed. Unfortunately, I have seen both with my friends and family, as well as patients and families, being deprived of the hospice palliative care services that my grandfather was provided. Although I understand that as a professional I must be mindful of how my opinion might affect a patient’s care, I feel that patients with either life-threatening or life-limiting should be given the opportunity to choose a hospice-palliative care approach. In addition, I hope that I will be able to explore further my knowledge and understanding of hospice palliative care to become a better advocate for patients and continue to improve my nursing practice. Lastly, I believe that my grandfather’s passing marked the start of my life’s journey with death and is one that I will continue to learn and grown on until it is my day to meet him for
Introduction
My first experience with death founded my passion for nursing. Amidst the spinning tornado of emotions that struck me on that day, I was shown true compassion by a stranger, by a nurse. For all that he did for me and my family, I will forever be grateful, and as a student, I hope that I will be able to follow his example. I have found my bucket list to be ever-changing and does not highlight my relationship with death. Additionally, I am hesitant to write my eulogy due to recent personal experiences, so at this time I did not feel that this would be an appropriate choice for me. That is why my first death experience was the optimal choice.
My First Death Experience I remember …show more content…
It helped to prepare me for the many deaths I have seen and will see, both from my friends and family, but also in my clinical practice. I was given the opportunity to have a better understanding of some the emotions a person can experience when they lose a loved one. Therefore, I have been able to develop a greater empathy for the families of patients I encounter during my practice. Also, since this first experience, I, with the help of my mom, have been able to talk more openly about death, and she has even shared her death wishes with my family and I. Personally, I feel that these conversations are important, as they begin the process of allowing individuals to have their wishes respected when the time comes. Additionally, although there was hardship from my grandfather’s death, upon reflection, I feel that were aspects of his care that went well. He had his wishes respected, he and his family had support and room to process death, and he went with well-managed symptoms that gave the appearance that he was sleeping when he passed. Unfortunately, I have seen both with my friends and family, as well as patients and families, being deprived of the hospice palliative care services that my grandfather was provided. Although I understand that as a professional I must be mindful of how my opinion might affect a patient’s care, I feel that patients with either life-threatening or life-limiting should be given the opportunity to choose a hospice-palliative care approach. In addition, I hope that I will be able to explore further my knowledge and understanding of hospice palliative care to become a better advocate for patients and continue to improve my nursing practice. Lastly, I believe that my grandfather’s passing marked the start of my life’s journey with death and is one that I will continue to learn and grown on until it is my day to meet him for