Doesn't nurses make life or death decisions as well?

Question

I often read about how doctors make life and death decisions only. but doesn't the nurses do the same if the doctor isn't there. Like if a patient is about to code...or anything in that nature. Don't the nurses have to make quick judgments on cardiac rhythms to determine whether calling a code is necesarry.

Answer 1

I really wanted to answer your question..Yes, nurses are by the pts bedside 24 hours a day. We are well educated, as opposed to overly educated, to assess our pts and respond to and report changes in pt condition. Nurses must act according to the orders written by the physician, but there are emergency orders that we can initiate should the need arise. Yes, we do initiate the code response, using our knowledge and judgement to decide what drugs to give (not pills to push), whether we need to shock your heart, whether to do CPR, etc. Thank you for inquiring about just a few of our responsibilities......

Answer 2

Very difficult question, this one. There are times when a person should be allowed to die in peace and not be put through the indignity of attempted resuscitation and others when all stops should be pulled out to resuscitate. Saying that an experienced nurse can take that decision causes some concern to me. What is an experienced nurse? A nurse who has 20 years experience, might never have been involved in resuscitation. A nurse might have a degree, but no life experience.

Answer 3

Your physician is not in the hospital 24/7 like most people think they are. If your in the hospital and your physician is at home in his bed sleeping, your nurse is the person looking after you. Nurses are very capable of handling life and death situations. When you have that big chest pain, or start throwing up blood or develop a lethal arrythmia, the nurse is running the show until the MD can be contacted. Yep, I would say they make life and death decisions.
PS: I am a nurse, and proud to work with a whole bunch of experienced nurses who are excellent in our field.

Answer 4

Absolutely.

I am a cardiac nurse. If I had a patient experiencing symptoms and didnt do anything, they would die. Therefore, I am making a life or death decision.

If the patient begins to code, I make a life or death decision when I give medications.

There are many instances where patient's lives are in our hands.

RN

Answer 5

Yes, the higher you are in the ranking of nurses the more responsibility you have. That is RNs have more responsibility and have to make more life and death decisions than LPNs, and definitely more than CNAs.

Answer 6

Nurses are over-educated pill pushers, but some of them are very nice. And I'm not knocking the nurses, oh, by the way, the answer to your question is, no.

Answer 7

the nurse has to call a code even if it won't work

Answer 8

not often