An ICU nurse has revealed the exact words she says all patients utter before they die, describing the phenomenon as a 'spiritual shift'. Kirstie Roberts, 29, from Florida, US, has spent four years helping patients through their final moments in intensive care.
Roberts shared her observations in a viral online clip, which garnered over 561,000 views and 102,000 likes. She stated that patients often say: 'Can you please tell my family I love them?', 'I don't feel good', and 'I know I'm going to die'. She noted that these words are typically followed by the patient's death shortly after, even when their vital signs appear stable.
'There's a shift that happens, that's spiritual – that nobody can explain,' Roberts said. 'Their vitals may be stable, their condition may be the exact same way it was when they came in. There's nothing inherently dangerous that's screaming “This is going to kill them.”' Despite her experience, she has found no medical explanation for why patients seem to know their death is imminent.
Roberts acknowledged the emotional toll of her work, saying, 'It never truly gets easier to deal with experiencing patients passing away. We spend a lot of time caring for patients and building relationships with them and their families.' She added that she copes by knowing her work is enough and by embracing spirituality.
Other medical professionals have supported Roberts's claims. One former hospice nurse commented, 'She's right,' while another wrote, 'They always know.' A fellow nurse confirmed, 'Can confirm – amen sister.'
