There has been a dramatic change in medical ethics, not only allowing medicine to be directed at killing the patient, but in many cases, encouraging and promoting immediate, direct, and intentional lethality. Often nurses are being pressured to be the implementers. Refusal to participate or approve of medical killing can sometimes place a conscientious nurse's employment at risk.
Commissioner Johnston interviews Nancy Valko, R.N. and Zonya Townsend, R.N., regarding the dramatic sea-change that has come to the once noble practice of nursing. Both nurses explain the nature of these pressures and what practicing nurses should do to prepare for these situations.
Although called 'physician aid-in-dying' in many states, in practice the physician is often not present. He or she is merely the prescriber. The poisoning is simply a prescription, it is 'doctor's orders'. It is left to others to ensure the procedure is carried out.
More information on ethical nursing and the current challenges faced in the field can be found at nancyvalco.com) and California Nurses for Ethical Standards.)
