Reflection on Witnessing Death and Dying

Running head: REFLECTION
Reflection
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

1REFLECTION
Description:
During one of my placement experience in aged care setting, I was given the
responsibility to take care of Mr. Philips, a 65 years old patient with terminal cancer. He was
hospitalized since the past 15 days. By the time he was diagnosed with lung cancer, it was found
that he was at stage 4 of cancer. He was under weekly dose of radiation and chemotherapy. I
witnessed the challenges and emotional distress such patients face at end of life. After every one
or two days, his vital signs deteriorated significantly and he had to endure the pain of many
invasive physical test and examinations too. After 10 days of clinical deterioration, one morning
he was found to be lifeless. The whole episode of witnessing patient’s struggle with dignity,
respect and physical health issues and struggling to counter emotional challenges in encounters
with dying gave me many important learning regarding nursing care for this patient group.
Feelings:
It was a burdensome experience to see a person at the end stage of life and finally
witnessing death of patients. Getting the opportunity to witness bereavement experiences of
family members also develop my sensitivity regarding the emotional turmoil that family
members face and the way to support family members. The experience of professional
challenges in continuously meeting needs of an end of life patient and dealing with experience of
witnessing death was an emotionally draining experience for me. Each and every day was
uncertain and it was the most challenging practice experience for me. However, looking back, I
also feel the event was a good practical exposure for me as significantly shape my nursing care
and developed my sensitivity regarding the way to maintain respect and dignity with dying
patient. This is an important skill that can help nurse to ensure that patient’s get positive

2REFLECTION
experience during end of life and their basic needs are addressed during that time too (Kennedy,
2016).
Evaluation:
Looking back at the experience of providing care to Mr. Philips, I would reflect on things
that were done good and things that did not went well. The positive aspects of my experience
with dying patient were that I was able to maintain dignity and respect of patient at end stage of
life too. Although Mr. Philips was at end stage of life and going through many physical and
emotional challenges due to progression of cancer, through my communication skills and values
of empathy, I ensured that could provide positive care experience to patient during end of life
too. The activities that helped me to maintain dignity include communication, listening skills,
ability to convey empathy and engaging patients in decision making. The significance of using
these skills is that it can help to address not only physical but also emotional needs of patient
(Gillett, O'Neill & Bloomfield, 2016). I was also very satisfied when I found Mr. Philips interest
in expressing his emotional concerns to me. He was satisfied by my preference to take his
permission and maintain his dignity during care.
However, the bad or negative experience was that I could not take the death of patient in
a professional way. I was emotionally shocked. Instead of giving support to Tom’s family
members and supporting them during the phase of bereavement, I locked myself in a room. I was
having the perception some negligence or poor nursing activity by my side was the reason for his
death. Research evidence shows such complexity of dealing with emotional aspects is common
for hospice nurse witnessing death and dying. Ingebretsen and Sagbakken (2016) gives the
insight into different reactions of nurse in response to witnessing death. Some nurse experience