Abstract
The Washington State Death With Dignity Act went into effect in March 2009. The law allows competent, terminally ill adults to obtain lethal doses of medications to end their lives. Little attention has been given to informing nurses about the details of the law and even less to the role they play in its implementation. Nurses have a responsibility to be knowledgeable of all care options available at the end of life to facilitate patients' informed decision making. The purpose of this study was to determine nurses' level of knowledge and personal views about the Death With Dignity Act. Results verified that nurses have received little to no education about the law, resulting in gaps in their knowledge about the law's specifics. Most nurses were in favor of the law. Nurses not in favor of the law opposed it primarily on moral and religious grounds. The role nurses play in implementation of the law also requires further clarification in relation to the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses. As more states consider similar legislation, it is imperative that all nurses be aware of the ethical and legal mandates surrounding the Death With Dignity Act.