I have learned about death with dignity in one of the ethics classes that I have taken at UNE. We watched the movie “How to Die in Oregon” which is where I feel most of the basis of my knowledge comes from. Ever since learning about death with dignity I have always felt that I support it. I feel that whenever I hear about death with dignity or learn more about it, I am met with the thought that death with dignity would almost be an impossible decision, to end one’s own life. This is why I believe that it is not really utilized by large amounts of people in the states where it is offered. I thought it was interesting how out of all of the individuals that have been prescribed the medications to end their own life that only approximately half of those individuals have actually taken the medications. I truly feel that this is not a decision that anyone makes lightly, however, when I think about death with dignity from a personal standpoint as if it were me, and I had a terminal illness, meaning I have less than 6 months to live that I would want to have the right to decide just how much suffering I want to endure. I think like the many others that have chosen to go through with the act of death with dignity that I would be comforted by the fact that I can choose to end my suffering when I felt that my fight was complete. I think that in this case I believe quality truly does trump quantity. 

When I look at death with dignity form an ethical standpoint, regarding the first ethical principle for nurses of nonmaleficence, or do no harm I still find that I support the act of death with dignity. I can understand both sides of the argument, as “killing” a patient would fall under ethical principle of nonmaleficence, however there is something to be said for allowing a patient to go through continual suffering knowing their illness will ultimately result in death that I feel can also be seen as being supported by the nonmaleficence ethical principle. I think that it is great that states are slowly starting to pass the act that allows for death with dignity. I think that the strict guidelines put in place such as the multiple written consent forms, multiple terminal diagnoses, and a mental health screening being required before a patient can choose to participate in death with dignity, especially in Maine give providers the power to feel confident in supporting their patient’s choice. I think this is extremely important allowing the patient for themselves to choose what they want. This is what Brittany Maynard, an individual that choose to follow through with the death with dignity act tried to express prior to her chosen death date. As a nurse I believe it is important to approach every patient and case individually and with no judgement and based on that principle allow I feel I would support any of my patients follow through with the death with dignity act, providing that they meet all of the criteria and it was what they truly wanted.