Legalization of assisted suicide. A pilot study of gerontological nurses.

1. Legalization of physician-assisted suicide poses serious challenges to the Code for Nurses of the ANA, particularly in the areas of self-determination and autonomy versus sanctity of life. 2. Nurses in this pilot study were divided in their support of legalization of physician-assisted suicide for all ages (46 in favor, 54 opposed) but showed stronger support for legalization when applied to the elderly (58 in favor, 42 opposed). 3. No demographic variables realized statistical significance toward attitudes on the legalization of physician-assisted suicide or its legalization as applied to the elderly. 4. While supported conceptually, the actual practice of physician-assisted suicide was not supported by many who were in favor of legalization of physician-assisted suicide.