AUSTRALIAN NURSES EXPERIENCES AND ATTITUDES IN THE DO NOT RESUSCITATEDECISION

The effects of Australian nurses' (n = 285) awareness of a ''Do Not Re suscitate'' (DNR) policy and various practice settings on the DNR deci sion were examined. A questionnaire, developed by the investigator, wa s used to gauge nurses' experiences and attitudes in DNR practice. Dec ision making was not significantly affected by nurses' awareness of a DNR policy in hospitals where a policy was present. Although nurses be lieved that the patient, next-of-kin, and nurse should play a predomin ant role in the DNR decision, medical staff were usually responsible f or the decision. Various strategies are suggested as to how nurses cou ld make a greater impact on the DNR decision. (C) 1998 John Wiley & So ns, Inc.