I now have power of attorney over my mom.

[westcoastwoman 0]

Here's a kicker, though. In Canada (at least the province that I worked in), even if there is a DNR in effect, the Doctor who admitted her must also arrange a DNR order for the hospital. I guess it was their way to ensure that a DNR was still valid.

I know it sounds nuts but that's the way it was.

[HannahP 119]

if you are 24 and in nursing school you should have a mentor. some retired physician instructor, preferrably an older woman. take your ethical concerns to them if you have uncertainty. as for your family, mail them each a copy of your mother's DNR order with a short letter explaining to them why your mother has chosen to originate it. be sure to arrange a medic alert bracelet for your mother indicating that a DNR order is in place.

speaking as a guy who at the age of 20 lost his mother to a long standing debilitating and fatal illness i can say that it is difficult, but it is better than prolonged suffering for all concerned parties, especially the decedent.

Actually, we don't have mentors in nursing school. You're probably thinking of med school. (Def. no docs in nursing school, but yes, many older women.)

[justashooter 430]

Actually, we don't have mentors in nursing school. You're probably thinking of med school. (Def. no docs in nursing school, but yes, many older women.)

you need to choose your own mentor. it can be an informal thing. you should have some adjunct or tenured instructor who has been an MD and is retired. they can be an invaluable asset in your education and career.

[HannahP 119]

you need to choose your own mentor. it can be an informal thing. you should have some adjunct or tenured instructor who has been an MD and is retired. they can be an invaluable asset in your education and career.

I don't really think that I need a doctor to teach me how to be a nurse. My best mentors have been nurses for 40-50 years. Get me a job? Maybe. But my dad's a doc so I have that one covered.

On a personal soapbox-y note, I generally do NOT trust doctors in regards to end of life decisions unless they are specifically palliative care. There is a lot of emphasis on patient advocacy in nursing -- palliative care and end of life issues are where I think nurses SHOULD be most involved.

[justashooter 430]

I don't really think that I need a doctor to teach me how to be a nurse. My best mentors have been nurses for 40-50 years. Get me a job? Maybe. But my dad's a doc so I have that one covered.

On a personal soapbox-y note, I generally do NOT trust doctors in regards to end of life decisions unless they are specifically palliative care. There is a lot of emphasis on patient advocacy in nursing -- palliative care and end of life issues are where I think nurses SHOULD be most involved.

i would suggest finding a mentor who is a retired doctor so that you always have someone to go to when you need a better quality medical opinion. nursing education is not as complete as the education of an internist, or a GP. not even an NP can compare in terms of knowledge base. the end of life decision you have to make should be made with as much information as possible. the wider your base, the more stable your foundation.

[Captain Oates 910]

The financial side is also worth watching. I know the regs are different everywhere but when my parents started fading I got them to sign their house over to me.

My dad died and my mother was taken into a nursing home.

They called me and said they wanted the house deeds as they were going to sell it. I told them it was mine so they couldn't. They asked me how long and I said 6 years. They backed off.

Not many people get round to these details and the govt take the house money and buy a nuclear submarine with it

In Scotland this is not an issue as the govt do not come for the house - they are too busy letting mass murderers out of prison

Anyway, the money side often needs attention and remember that tax avoidance is legal and tax evasion is not

Edited August 5, 2010 by saywhat

[HannahP 119]

i would suggest finding a mentor who is a retired doctor so that you always have someone to go to when you need a better quality medical opinion. nursing education is not as complete as the education of an internist, or a GP. not even an NP can compare in terms of knowledge base. the end of life decision you have to make should be made with as much information as possible. the wider your base, the more stable your foundation.

Just out of curiousity -- would you suggest that a medical student have a RN as a mentor, since their education tends to lack in regards to the patient-care side of things?