A few semesters ago I was in ethics class and the topic Death with Dignity was discussed. I had no idea what it was before that class took place. A movie was shown, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the class by the time it finished. Powerful, impactful, meaningful, but also sadness was what I felt. I took death with dignity as it is named; a person choosing to end their life on their own terms before their illness takes it from them. They are the master in their decision making and I respect not allowing an illness to consume that. I think it’s hard for some to understand because it may feel as though a physician should be saving their life rather than helping them leave it. Although, as I have said and view it, if they are competent and can make the decision on their own terms knowing they are nearing the end and they don’t want to die consumed by the pain and symptoms of the progression of their lethal illness, then they should be respected in their decision.

All healthcare members are supposed to “do no harm, and practice nonmaleficence,” and even though the nurse’s duty is to protect the patient’s safety I think they would be doing harm rather than good to not respect their patients wishes. This is the exception to doing no harm, they would be doing harm by not respecting a patients wish to die with dignity and on their own terms rather than the terms of their terminal illness. Nurses are advocates and sometimes the voices their patients need to fight for what they feel is right for their patient but also what their patient wishes. Nurses are also to have no bias, no judgement, and respect every patient for what they want and what they believe is right. A nurse knows to do no harm and to protect their patient but when it’s their patients wish and autonomy coming forward to fully make the decision on their own about how they choose to go, there shouldn’t be a question. That human shouldn’t have to suffer through their death. They shouldn’t have to see their future days before their last as a painful additional day to suffer when they can leave this world as they choose to. Most importantly, with comfort knowing they lived to their fullest and again not taken by an illness.