Leaving a Dying Resident: A Case of Moral Distress

Ashley, a registered nurse, was caring for J.T., a long-term care resident in the nursing facility where she worked, when he was diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020. J.T. had made it clear that he did not want to be hospitalized if he became ill from COVID-19 and that he would prefer to die at the nursing facility. When his condition worsened, his family made the difficult decision not to visit J.T. so as not to expose themselves to COVID-19 and said their goodbyes over the phone. Ashley promised his family that she would take good care of him.