It’s Okay to Grieve
Every nurse has her own way of coping when a patient dies—and some deaths hit harder than others. Seeing the grief of the patient’s family members, you may think that in comparison to the loss they are feeling, you have no real right to be so sad. After all, you barely knew the patient. But the truth is that every life that touches ours has an impact. Humans find meaning through connection with others, and grief at its core is about experiencing a loss of connection.
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I have been a LPN for almost 4 months now, within that time span I have had approx 12 residents pass and 4 of them were so close to my heart and still are. I cried, I let it out but I realized that they were in a better place. Being in a LTC facility makes death a common thing but not one that gets easier with time.
RN
Registered Nurse
As an L+D RN when we have a stillbirth we have an organized standard of care. I find it difficult after having family see and hold baby and do pictures, footprints and all the comforting we do to wrap the baby for burial and cover the little ones face. So I make sure the baby is dressed in diaper t shirt a baby blanket and I say Prayers for the baby + the family as i cover the babies little face before I bring the baby to the morgue. I do try to attend the funeral and many times the doctor will meet me their or at the cemetary. I can’t tell you how grateful the family is to see us. I never never go to the social after. I feel like I have seen the little one on their way and then go on my way with hugs to the family.
RN
Registered Nurse
I have attended funerals & sent many cards etc as a RN. I’m now in the dilemma of my current employer (hospital) policy that we CAN NOT do these things d/t pt family privacy. ONLY the Chaplains can send cards.
I personally feel this is a terrible policy for our families. They have NO support from the ones who cared for their family. Especially since ED deaths are usually unexpected & traumatic for the family.
Anyone else with these new issues of “privacy” being a block to truly caring for the family?