Discussing death in the classroom
Section: TEACHING TO LEARN
Authors
Fe Bregel Gabaldón
Position
Enfermera. Profesora de la Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería "La Fe". Valencia.
Contact address
Avda. Campanar, 21. 46009 Valencia.
Contact email: Bregel_fe@gva.es
Abstract
One of the many challenges a nurse must overcome throughout his/her professional career, and especially at the beginning of it, is the care of people who are close to death.
The characteristics of today’s society do not allow for moments of reflection on the matter of personal existence and much less death, which is rejected, hidden and excised from everyday life. What we fail to realize is that however much we ignore death; we will one day inevitably have to face it.
In order to help people who are in the process of dying, nurses must communicate deeply with the patient and his/her family, making sure they both receive all necessary information and avoiding the so-called "conspiracy of silence" which arises from denial.
This article shares with its readers the experience of a Nursing School’s four courses of an optional subject which is "Nursing in the face of pain and death".
The characteristics of today’s society do not allow for moments of reflection on the matter of personal existence and much less death, which is rejected, hidden and excised from everyday life. What we fail to realize is that however much we ignore death; we will one day inevitably have to face it.
In order to help people who are in the process of dying, nurses must communicate deeply with the patient and his/her family, making sure they both receive all necessary information and avoiding the so-called "conspiracy of silence" which arises from denial.
This article shares with its readers the experience of a Nursing School’s four courses of an optional subject which is "Nursing in the face of pain and death".
Keywords:
nursing in the face of death; the process of dying; nursing training; painfamily
Versión en Español
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