What Nurses Really Do: An End-of-Life Story

Summary

In this poignant narrative, a nurse recalls the story of caring for a woman in her 70s who tragically suffered a fatal head injury while dancing at a Neil Diamond impersonator concert. Despite being unresponsive and on life support, the patient clung to life for hours after it was determined she had no chance of survival. In a tender act of compassion, the nurse and a colleague stayed with her, holding her hands and singing 'Sweet Caroline' as she peacefully passed away. This emotional experience remains a standout moment in the nurse's career, reflecting the deep connections formed in healthcare.

Takeaways

• 😀 A woman in her 70s suffered a fatal head bleed after dancing at a Neil Diamond impersonator concert.
• 😀 The woman was brought to the hospital and placed on life support in the ICU after becoming unresponsive.
• 😀 Experts determined that the woman had no chance of survival, leading to the decision to remove life support.
• 😀 The patient lingered for nearly a day after life support was withdrawn, as she had a strong heart.
• 😀 The family was encouraged to come and go as needed, with the reassurance that the patient would pass when ready.
• 😀 The narrator, as a nurse, knew when the patient’s heart rate dropped that death was imminent.
• 😀 The nurse wanted to ensure the patient wasn’t alone during her passing and invited a colleague to stay with her.
• 😀 The nurses sat on either side of the patient's bed and held her hand as a sign of comfort.
• 😀 The nurses sang 'Sweet Caroline' to the patient, a song related to her last experience at the concert.
• 😀 The woman passed away peacefully with the nurses singing to her, leaving a deeply emotional moment for the narrator.
• 😀 The narrator reflects on this moment as one of the most memorable and emotional experiences in their career.

Q & A

What was the health status of the patient before the incident?

The patient was in perfectly good health before the incident. She was active and had been enjoying a night out dancing at a Neil Diamond impersonator concert with her husband.

What caused the patient's hospitalization?

The patient collapsed suddenly while dancing on the floor during the concert. She was later found to have suffered a massive head bleed.

How did the nurse describe the moment when the patient's condition became critical?

The nurse described knowing the patient was nearing death when her heart rate started to drop significantly. This was a clear sign that she was passing away.

What role did the family play during the patient's final hours?

The family was present and visited the patient throughout the day. The nurse encouraged them to come and go, assuring them that the patient would pass when she was ready, regardless of whether they were there or not.

Why did the nurse stay with the patient even after the family left?

The nurse stayed with the patient because they didn’t want her to die alone. They were committed to providing comfort in her final moments.

What did the nurse and their colleague do during the patient’s final moments?

The nurse and their colleague sat on each side of the patient's bed, holding her hands. They sang 'Sweet Caroline' to her as she passed away, honoring her memory and connection to the song.

How did the nurse feel about the experience?

The nurse expressed deep emotional attachment to the experience. They said they still get emotional thinking about the moment, highlighting its significance in their career.

What is the significance of the song 'Sweet Caroline' in this story?

The song 'Sweet Caroline' was significant because the patient had been at a Neil Diamond impersonator concert, where the song was likely a part of her memories. It was a way for the nurse and colleague to honor her and provide comfort in her final moments.

How did the nurse approach end-of-life care for this patient?

The nurse approached the patient’s end-of-life care with compassion and respect. They reassured the family, stayed by the patient's side, and offered emotional support during her passing.

Why does the nurse remember this experience so vividly?

The nurse remembers this experience vividly because it was an emotionally charged and meaningful moment in their career. The act of singing to the patient as she passed away created a powerful connection and remains a cherished memory.