Hospice nurses' attitudes on active voluntary euthanasia

• Main Author: Godfrey, Belinda Arjona
• Format: Others
• Published: FIU Digital Commons 1995
• Subjects: Nursing
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3944; https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5434&context=etd

Active voluntary euthanasia is one of the most controversial issues in the nursing and legal systems today. The purpose of this study was to explore hospice nurses' attitudes on active voluntary euthanasia (AVE). One hundred useable questionnaires were collected, for a response rate of 33%. The questionnaires included demographic data, four vignettes which described a patient care situation and possible responses to AVE, questions on awareness of organizations and legislation that promote legalization of AVE, and questions on adequate pain relief. The findings revealed fifty - three percent of the nurses supported AVE. Eighty - three per cent of the nurses would not administer the medication that would cause death. Also, there were significant relationships between the nurses' age, religion and educational level and their responses.