For Nurses
I'd Still Be A Nurse Because...
My patient and his wife had been married over 64 years and were never separated. She was loving and devoted and spent a great deal of time at his side. He was dying and she was grieving. I got to know them during their stay and they were a special couple. I immediately liked them both and they were a bright spot in my day.
I was a recent graduate and even with my inexperience, I knew he had agonal breathing one day when I went into the room. His wife was not present and I hurried to call her and ask her to get there so she could be with him. I stayed with him and talked to him while waiting for his wife to arrive. Some of the nurses thought it was not necessary and that there was other work I could be doing. But I was determined not to let him die alone if his wife did not arrive on time. (I found out later that she was stuck at a railroad crossing on her way to the hospital.)
He had about four respirations per minute and did not respond to my voice. The family priest arrived and spoke quietly to him. He responded to the priest's voice and opened his eyes. The priest told him it was okay to be at peace and that he did not need to fight any longer. He told him that he could die. The patient took one last breath and passed away.
I was sad that his wife did not make it in time, but I was so glad that he was not alone. My presence was a comfort to his wife because he had not wanted to die alone. As a new nurse, I realized how much control patients have over their dying and I have taken that lesson with me throughout my nursing career.
