‘Do No Harm’ Applies to Nurses, Too

Kathryn Palermo, RN, DNP, is a faculty fellow with the Centennial Institute of Colorado Christian University and has strong opinions on proposed legislation that will expand physician-assisted suicide in the state.  “One of the key principles of nursing is the commitment to promoting and preserving the well-being of individuals under our care.  Central to this commitment is the principle of nonmaleficence, which emphasizes the obligation to “do no harm.”  The act of hastening death through provider-assisted suicide stands in direct conflict with this foundational principle.  Nurses are advocates for life, and our primary goal is to alleviate suffering while upholding the dignity of each patient.”

Read more:  Denver Gazette