According to a quantitative study published in the Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 86% of nurses said they would care for a patient contemplating MAID. 67% of nurses would physically care for a patient in the final acts of MAID. Many nurses said they would likely support the concept of MAID if they were given more information about it. (Moore, 2022).

There are many people who confuse the terms medical aid in dying with euthanasia, and learning the key differences between the two could help understanding. "Laws that allow medical aid in dying permit an adult patient with a terminal illness and the capacity for medical decision-making to self-administer medication when certain criteria are met. Euthanasia, which is not legal in the United States, occurs when someone other than the patient administers medication in any form with the intention of hastening the patient’s death. Euthanasia is inconsistent with the core commitments of the nursing profession and profoundly violates public trust." (ANA, 2019).

Today, only 10 of the 50 states in America have medical aid in dying legalized. Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine, and New Mexico. There are 19 states pending legislation, but this takes years to process to potentially get approved. (Choices, 2022).

There is a very large concern of MAID being used against vulnerable populations, and a way to abuse this system. To avoid this, there are very strict eligibility criteria and protective requirements. "For instance, patients are eligible only if they are terminally ill with six months or less to live, more than one physician must be involved, and requests must be witnessed (by individuals unrelated to the patient who will not profit from the patient’s estate." (Beer, 2023).

Ethical Concerns: Many nurses have ethical reservations due to conflicting values or beliefs. Some nurses may believe that participating in assisting patients ending their lives contradicts the fundamental principles of nursing. (preserving life/alleviating suffering)

Legal Uncertainty: Despite the legality of medical aid in dying in certain jurisdictions,there may be legal ambiguity surrounding the nursing role in this process. Nurses may fear legal repercussions if their involvement is perceived as ethically/legally questionable.

Organizational Policies: Healthcare institutions may have policies that restrict/prohibit nurses from participating in medical aid in dying.

Social/Emotional: This topic is highly controversial and can have profound emotional consequences for nurses. They may have feelings of moral distress, guilt, and sorrow. They may also face judgement from outside parties if they choose to participate in these practices. The fear of professional isolation may deter nurses from engaging with this issue.

Sufleta, A. (2022, June 6). Nurses and medical aid in dying. American Nurse. https://www.myamericannurse.com/nurses-and-medical-aid-in-dying-maid/

ANA Center for Ethics and Human Rights. (2019). The nurse’s role when a patient requests medical aid in dying. American Nurses Association. https://www.nursingworld.org/~49e869/globalassets/practiceandpolicy/nursing-excellence/ana-position-statements/social-causes-and-health-care/the-nurses-role-when-a-patient-requests-medical-aid-in-dying-web-format.pdf

States Where Medical Aid in Dying is Authorized. (2022). Compassion & Choices. https://www.compassionandchoices.org/resource/states-or-territories-where-medical-aid-in-dying-is-authorized

Hoffman, D. C., & de, S. (2023). Have Arguments For and Against Medical Aid in Dying Stood the Test of Time? Voices in Bioethics, 9. https://doi.org/10.52214/vib.v9i.12079

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Education and Training: Providing education/training programs for nurses about MAID and end of life care, can empower nurses with necessary knowledge and skills. This is something very new that has a lot of questions surrounding it, so nurses need a safe place for learning to occur.

Establishing Policies: By supporting specific policies pertaining to nurses and their role in MAID, this sets the path. These policies need to align with legal regulations as well as professional standards. This would include things such as responsibilities, rights, as well as ethical obligations.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: This re-establishes the very common use of practice, collaboration. It is very important in end of life care, and more specifically in the use of MAID, to continue to work with all of the healthcare staff. This includes physicians, social workers, chaplains, etc. There should be open communication and shared decision making processes to help prioritize our patient's preferences.

Ethical Decision Making: Throughout my time at SCHOS, we have continuously learned the importance of ethical decision making in patient care. We learn principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. These all greatly affect end of life care decisions. When facing a challenge like MAID, I feel equipped to analyze the ethical considerations, potential benefits and harms, and also to make informed decisions based off of this.

Advocacy for Patient Autonomy: This is also a very largely covered topic throughout nursing school. Our job, as nurses, is to be the patients biggest advocate. This includes advocating for their autonomy and their right to make informed decisions about their healthcare. By advocating for these very basic patient rights, I can help ensure their voices are heard and respected throughout the care process.