Abstract
Because of advances over the past 100 years in medical technology, end of life medical decision making has become a complex process. Licensed nurses are charged with the responsibility to explain implications of medical interventions, assist patients and families with decision making, and implement those decisions. The research was conducted with the position that an understanding of nurses’ views and practices could contribute to enhancing the scope and range of available choices for patients and families while increasing the comfort level of nurses in honoring such decisions. Interviews were conducted with 15 licensed nurses at a skilled nursing facility in Sacramento, full time employees each with several years of experience in working with patients at the end of life. The nurses’ varying views on life prolonging measures appeared to be related to years of experience and loosely related to culture and religious affiliation. Implications for social work practice included education and modeling for peers and advocacy for clients’ rights.