Nurses And The End-Of-Life Decision-Making Process

Education plays a huge role in this issue, while Doctors are the ones to diagnose patients, and treat patients based on their prognosis, they take a much bigger responsibility regarding decision making, thus making them feel as though they are more capable of deciding when, and how to discuss an DNR with a patient. But times are changing, and nurses are becoming more revolutionized, although nurses lack the education Physicians have in certain areas, saying they are of lesser value is a common misconception. “While physicians often define patients by their prognoses, nurses, however, look deeper than just the disease and define their patient, by who, not what they are.” (Park, 2011). Some studies have shown that physicians do not respect nurses opinions significantly, and claim that nurses “express reluctance in becoming involved.” (Hildén, 2004.) …show more content…
Physicians and nurses must be educated about their roles on end-of-life decision making process. Hospitals must work with physicians and educated them on the importance of DNR and clear up and misconceptions regarding DNR and roles of the various team members must be clarified. Doctors intent to have the best interest for their patients at heart, but often detach themselves emotionally to continue their work. Nurses, however, find themselves spending many countless hours a day with their patients, and often develop and emotional bond with them. Many studies have analysed that nurses may be the ones who are more capable to discuss end-of-life decisions with their patient given the countless hours, and connection formed between both the patient, and the