Death is understandable for me. I have seen its changing routine over and over again. The different sights, sounds, and smells indicate the timely progression of a tired body letting go. I have walked this worn path alongside many families, and for that I am forever thankful. They trusted me to provide care in a moment of pure vulnerability.
It is easy to forget that my “regular” feelings and knowledge toward death and the dying process are foreign to many, including my own family, because our culture doesn’t discuss death. We do not die mostly in our homes, as is typical in other cultures. So, when the time comes to face the death of a loved-one, many do not know what to expect. I am thankful that I have had and continue to have the honor of preparing friends and family members for the natural dying process. I am thankful for my worldwide colleagues who do the same day and night. Educating others about death is not fun; it is, however, necessary and an important part of nursing care.
Remember.
Carol Bush
August 3, 2012 8:51 amYes, great reminder! I consider some of my most sacred interactions in nursing to be the times patients and families allowed me to share in their most intimate journey. I count the 2 years I ‘moonlighted’ as a Hospice Triage Nurse on the weekends to be among the most significant of my career. I learned many lessons and was witness to many peaceful transitions. I learned that the process of birth and death are equally wondrous.