Posted on 03/28/2005 3:52:07 PM PST by LauraJean
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2005
CONTACT: Joan Hurwitz, 301-628-5020 Cindy Price, 301-628-5038 Carol Cooke, 301-628-5027
American Nurses Association Statement on the Terri Schiavo Case Statement Attributed to Barbara A. Blakeney, MS, RN, President The Terri Schiavo case raises complex and emotional issues about the end of life. The American Nurses Association (ANA) recognizes the difficulty of the situation, however, ANA has consistently upheld the right of patients, or if the patient is incapacitated, the right of the designated surrogate, to decide whether to submit to or continue medical treatment.
As nurses, we are ethically bound to assist our patients in maintaining control over their lives and to help them preserve their dignity. The ANA believes that it is the responsibility of nurses to facilitate informed decision-making for patients and families who are making choices about end-of-life care. The Code of Ethics for Nurses specifically outlines the nurse's obligation to protect the patient's right to self-determination and the role of a designated surrogate in situations where the patient lacks capacity. In this case, Terri Schiavo's physicians, over many years, have declared her to be in a "persistent vegetative state." Furthermore, there is evidence that Terri Schiavo expressed her wishes not to have her life artificially maintained under such circumstances. ANA believes the Congress and the president have acted inappropriately in this case. It is unfortunate that Terri Schiavo has now become the symbol of so many political agendas.
The positive outcome from this case is that it raises the public's awareness of the importance of discussing end-of-life issues with family members and underscores how an advance directive, a living will and/or durable power of attorney for health care, clarifies and provides evidence of the wishes of an individual regarding end-of-life decisions. ANA encourages everyone to have an advance directive in place. Advance directives are controlled by state law and vary by state. A federal law, The Patient Self Determination Act of 1990, requires that most health care facilities provide patients with information about advance directives and ask patients about the existence of advance directives. Physicians, nurses, social workers and attorneys are often resource persons in the community who can provide information and guidance concerning advance directives.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Terri Schiavo. I recognize that this is an extremely difficult situation. I wish Terri Schiavo the dignity and peace she so deserves and that we would all wish for ourselves and our own loved ones at the end of life.
Sources: Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretative Statements, 2001 http://nursingworld.org/ethics/chcode.htm Ethics and Human Rights Position Statement: Nursing and the Patient Self-Determination Act, 1991 http://www.nursingworld.org/readroom/position/ethics/etsdet.htm
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The ANA is the only full-service professional organization representing the nation's 2.7 million registered nurses through its 54 constituent member nurses associations. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public. # # #
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There was a little nurse from the Philippines who read the bible to my aunt toward the end. I was kind of touched by her sincerity. They probably aren't supposed to do that, and I didn't have the heart to tell her my aunt was never much into the bible. Didn't to seem to do her a bit of harm.
It was probably more comforting than the crazy lady who was in the last stages of alcoholism who told me she gave her the last rites the night before. As my aunt would have said, "Oh me."
I am a retired RN and I can gratefully say I never joined the ANA. Years ago when they had Hillary Clinton as their keynote speaker, I knew I had made the right decision in not joining that organization. I have cared for many dieing patients, and never was food or fluids withheld.
Exactly right. As a nurse for 28 years, I am proud to say that other than a few years as a subscriber to the American Journal of Nursing as a new nurse, I have never given the ANA a dime. Their agenda is clear.
I stand corrected.
It's closer to 20% for the AMA. Again, it's mainly university faculty who don't actually write the check for dues.
Most large hospitals foot the bill for the nursing associations.
This is the reason yours truly never has and never will contribute money to such a disgraceful organization! They are not for life! If a nursing organization cannot be for life, what good purpose do they serve?
My late mother was an RN, then later a NP
She must be rolling in her grave right now
There isn't one shred of evidence and the ANA knows it. There is only suspect hearsay from an unscrupulous interested party.
After posting I read Felos said that she received 2 doses of morphine via suppositories. Still shows the lie of their claim to her "peaceful" and painless demise.
What was the point of this press release?
"Mealy mouthed garbage like this is exactly why I pulled my membership to the ANA years ago. Patient advocate my foot, they are a liberal advocate."
You too? When I first started out in Nursing, I subscribed to AJN..not anymore, once I REALLY started reading the articles, I realized it was loaded with liberal BS! Yet, I thought it quite ironic that they continued to run ads for "Traveling Nurse" services, which are nothing but scabs!
Not from what I've seen. The last thing they want is for their staff to be indoctrinated into a union mentality. Can you name any hospitals that underwrite dues to any professional organizations for their staff?
I'm flattered. But since you know I'm a doctor, it's a fair request in this terrible situation.
The Nurses Association has been hijacked by liberals and bureaucrats (who are liberals)
The tenor of the piece assumes a kinship with the social service bureaucracy, one which protects, first of all, the bureaucracy. A probate judge is one of the ranking members of this bureaucracy in any local community, since he (or she) is the final arbitor in Children Services' cases. Their prevailing atititude is supportive of governmental paternalism and the nanny state. Thus, any decision by one of their own to assume state control over the individual (which they do all day, every day) must be defended and even lauded. This is done without deliberation, but rather is doctrinaire among the ranks.
Reminiscent of the death-enabling paper shufflers in Hitler's regime, they are just doing their duty as only they know how to do.
Scares me.
heheh....that's why I asked you. LOL! I knew you could give a fair and honest opinion.
"Furthermore, there is evidence that Terri Schiavo expressed her wishes not to have her life artificially maintained under such circumstances."
The "evidence" is where the problem is. I think most people would agree that if Terri had left a living will, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
I don't fault the membership of the ANA. We've all heard of the interviews with nurses and other attendants of Terri. Their views were ignored by Michael and the Judge.
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