Perception of "no code" and the role of the nurse

CPR is now the rule rather than the exception and death is often viewed as the ultimate failure in modern medicine, rather than the final event of the natural life process (Stevens, 1986). The "No Code" concept has created a major dilemma in health care. An interagency collaborative study was conducted to ascertain the perceptions of nurses, physicians, and laypersons about this issue. This article deals primarily with the nurse's role and perceptions of the "No Code" issue. The comparison of nurses' perceptions with those of physicians and laypersons is unique to this study. Based on this research, suggestions are presented that will assist nursing educators and health care professionals in managing this complex dilemma.