I’ve been a critical care nurse for 41 years. I take care of our sickest patients on a one-to-one basis, which allows me the time and opportunity to be involved with patient care and to address the emotional needs of the patient’s family. I feel compelled to ask Twibell and colleagues1 why certain questions were not asked that would have yielded more accurate data in their study.

I am referring to the need for all bedside nurses to translate their philosophical precepts into time-motion priority every day with every assignment. Although many would embrace the opportunity to stand by their patient’s family and support them through a difficult process, thereby providing closure for all, there remain the urgent needs of their other patients and no influx of additional staff to cover them. Many “medical” people respond to codes to observe or to attempt to perform some of the skills...

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