This article argues that the American Nurses Association's (ANA) prohibitio
n of nurse-assisted suicide is misguided. The ANA's reasons for this policy
do not provide the necessary conceptual or empirical support for the prohi
bition. In fact, arguments appear to lead to support for nurse-assisted sui
cide: (1) because the claim that death is always harmful may be false, the
obligation to "do no harm" does not necessarily preclude assisted suicide (
AS); (2) currently we have no evidence that AS would erode public trust in
nurses; (3) AS may be compatible with the professional integrity of nursing
, particularly the commitments to respecting autonomy, promoting patient we
lfare, and providing compassionate care; (4) nursing's participation would
constrain, rather than contribute to, the potential for abuse to vulnerable
patient populations; and (5) the professional has a responsibility to eith
er embrace the public's increasing support of aid in dying or determine why
AS is morally indefensible and educate the public.