A newly graduated nurse is best prepared for the assignment of his fir

A newly graduated nurse is best prepared for the assignment of his first dying patient if he:

1. Completed a course dealing with death and dying
2. Is able to control his own personal emotions about death
3. Has previously experienced the death of a dear loved one
4. Has developed a personal understanding of his own feelings about death

ANSWER

ANS: 4
When caring for clients experiencing grief, it is important for the nurse to assess his or her own emotional well-being and to understand his or her own feelings about death. The nurse who is aware of his or her own feelings will be less likely to place personal situations and values before those of the client. Although coursework on death and dying may add to the nurse’s knowledge base, it does not best prepare the nurse for caring for a dying client. The nurse needs to have an awareness of his or her own feelings about death first, as death can raise many emotions. Being able to control one’s own emotions is important; however, it is unlikely the nurse would be able to do so if he or she has not first developed a personal understanding of his or her own feelings about death. Experiencing the death of a loved one is not a prerequisite to caring for a dying cli-ent. Experiencing death may help an individual mature in dealing with loss, or it may invoke many negative emotions if there is complicated grief present. The nurse is best prepared by first developing an understanding of his or her own feelings about death.