Finnish nurses want to legalize euthanasia

A majority of Finnish nurses believe that euthanasia should be legalized. At the same time, most of them say they would be willing to participate in a “euthanasia process” themselves.

Finland is currently debating whether to legalize euthanasia, following a citizens’ initiative calling for it. Previous surveys show that around 80 percent of Finns are in favor of introducing euthanasia, while 70 percent of Finnish-Swedes are in favor.

Diak University of Applied Sciences, the University of Eastern Finland and the Finnish Nurses Association have asked the country’s nurses about their views on euthanasia. Some 1800 nurses aged 19-90 were surveyed.

The preliminary results show that 62 percent of nurses “completely agree” with the statement “Euthanasia should be legalized in Finland”. A further 18 percent answered that they partly agreed, reports the Finnish state broadcaster Yle.

Regarding the statement “I would be ready to participate in a euthanasia process”, 46 percent said yes while 23 percent said they could partially participate.

More than half of the nurses say that at some point in their career they have been in a situation where a patient or a patient’s family has discussed euthanasia. At the same time, 38 percent of nurses believe that doctors should help patients with assisted suicide, with 35 percent partially agreeing.

Doctors’ association less positive

On Thursday, before the government takes a position on the issue, the Swedish Medical Association will share its views, but has previously said no to euthanasia. However, support is thought to have increased over the years, with the figure at the end of last year standing at around 29 percent in favor, up from 5 percent in 1993. The views of the Medical Association are said to weigh heavily in the government’s decision.

The last time the issue was raised was in 2018, when Parliament voted down the approval of euthanasia after the association said no to the issue.