This nurse offered service and friendship. The patient was free to leave her a sum of money in her will. Are we still somewhat free in America? No legal reason why not. Ethics, well if I were to consider moral issues of our time, this case would be pretty low on a list. Perhaps if her family offered their presence they would have received an inheritance.

May you be happy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU_Vj0kytFo

There are always ethics concerns in regards to receiving a gift from a patient, however, as this nurse was this patient's private caretaker for more than 20 years and was not doing so as an agent of another hospital, she was the direct employee of the patient. There is nothing different between this and any of the cases in which wealthy individuals have left fortunes to their maids, butlers, etc... Because this woman was a direct employee, this is more akin to receiving a bonus. If this woman were working at a hospital, on the other hand, and she received this from a patient, there would be some ethical concerns. In this case however, the only ethical issues are those anyone with millions of dollars has, how to save/spend the money appropriately. Frankly, I'm more worried about doctors carrying around coffe mugs with the Viagra logo on them...

From what I gather she was a PRIVATE nurse and she cared for this woman for 20 years. 20 years is a long time to care for someone, and I suspect the elderly woman was closer to this nurse than she was to any family members. I say good for the old woman for making this gift and shame on you for suggesting she not be able to accept it. I see NOTHING wrong with this woman's gesture to the kind nurse who had taken care of her for 20 years. Nothing wrong with it at all.

Unbelievable that someone who knows nothing about the relationship that was shared between these two women has anything and I mean anything to say about what should or should not happen. The courts do not even have the right to intervene in someones personal decision of who they leave their money to. Unless of course there is some evidence of wrong doing. Short of that the money should go to who was named in the will. Mr. Caplan sir, your opinion is worthless!

insideout and Francois: You need to google 'ethicist'.

Your comments are completely ignorant.

Well, I gotta say, I agree with the writer. Yes, if I were the caretaker and I took care of this person for 20 years and scored a $30 million windfall, I'd be stoked. It would also be really, really hard to not accept it. Like damn near impossible.

But if we're really talking ethics here, then the right thing to do is not accept it. Being ethical is painful sometimes. I've no doubt in my mind the lawyer and accountant shouldn't accept a dime. I struggle more with the nurse, but in the end, I go with giving it back.

In the end, if Ms. Clark really felt strongly about it, then she should have fired her as her nurse and kept her as her friend. No conflict there, and if the relationship is as everyone says, then the friendship would have continued to remain strong.

What's the author of this article smoking?

She and the Dr. should "...donate all of their windfall" because some "ethicist" on a high horse posits the position based on little, if any, understanding of relationship between the nurse and Ms. Clark?

I took care of a dying, invalid, ultimately quadriplegic, incompetent, incontinent wife for 22 years - virtually single handedly - until she passed away.

Anyone who has been a caregiver at the highest, most demanding and emotionally draining levels imaginable - which if you haven't been there and done it, don't you even dare to suppose for a second you have the slightest, conceivable clue of what it is really about; anyone who has been there could not help but laugh - in the most derisive fashion - in this fool's face.

Sadly, we live a society that thinks that college professors actually know things that are worth knowing in most cases because we have been conditioned to attribute to them credibility. After all, if I have managed to spend 10 or 15 years of my life safely, quietly ensconsed in the insulated, detached from reality hallowed halls of academia studing esoteric things and then been awarded a Ph.d by my peers I must know something, musn't I? Would that it were so.

Robert B. Parker the novelist, I believe once taught at a university and made the comment, "The reason the political battles in Academia are so vicious is because they are fighting over so little worth having." (Or words to that effect)

We live in a society where people have become more concerned with being politically correct than using their commonsense and intelligence. Such types like nothing more than to have someone preach to them nonsense that conforms to their long on theory, short on reality perceptions. This must be the group MSNBC had in mind when they came up with the idea for this "article".

Well, more power to Ms. Clark's nurse. She should have been given 100 million for devoting 20 years of her life to someone whom, you can bet your life on, she came to love and whom probably cared more for her than anyone in the world.

Those out there, who have cared for someone you love and had to set yourself and your needs aside day in, day out, year in, year out will understand exactly what I am talking about. They will also recognize that the author of this article hasn't a clue about what he is talking about in terms of this situation, nor apparently any ability to break free of the myopic, politically correct viewpoint he has to see the big picture.

What Ms. Clark's nurse does with this well deserved gift and expression of gratitude from her friend is her business and I think it is abominable that MSNBC should seek out a "talking head" commentator to disparage her and her sacrifices with this article.

Surely there are actually things happening in this world that they can use to fill up space (if not that, what else is this article) rather than denigrating the efforts of someone who has made such sacrifices.

The nurse took care of her for more than 20 years, she lived to be 104, the nurse obviously took good care of her. The heiress had every right to leave the nurse whatever she wanted too, and it's no body's business. Nurse, live long and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Stoops2Conquer,

Amen! Great post. I expect that in "libbyland", the money should all be given to the government to redistribute to the poor, needy, oppressed minorities, and illegal aliens. Think how many votes $30 million would buy you!

The REAL ethical battle we should be discussing is the "inhertance tax", whereby the government beaurocrats take what someone has worked a lifetime to accumulate so they can redistribute it to others in order to get their votes.

Thank you Bruce-308647.

You are absolutely right about the inheritance tax. Giving money to the government and politicians and trusting them to handle it "properly" is like giving a fox the keys to the hen house. In the end they will - as surely as night follows day - squander it; pouring it down rat hole, pork barrel projects designed to buy the votes of their constituency. "Take from the thrifty and give to the shifty" being their motto - always!

Stoops2Conquer

Outstanding post. I agree 100%

Have any of you read the other story about the lawyer alienating Ms. Clark from her 21 living relatives for the past 7 or 8 years. If that was the case don't you think the nurse who is her closest friend would be on it too??

And i do respectfully disagree with the post. You say you are a health care provider and you see no difference from the poor patient to the rich patient, however if the multimillionaire patient said that you were there close friend and wished to leave you with a large reward for that, don't you think that you would start to disregard other patients as not to lose your $30 million inheritance?? what if you were her family who was left with nothing, not that they necessarily deserve any, but if you had been close w/ auntie until 2005 and then were cut off, wouldn't you be upset that this woman got 30 mil and you were cut out of her life and left w nothing??? think about it!!

Everytime money changes hands, the governement takes a cut (except when give to 'charity' of course). Wonder how much longer before they actually have it all?

While I fully understand the ethical questions here, I, too, would have to disagree with the article.

I am reasonably certain the nurse did not go about her duties daily while thinking, "Boy! When the old broad kicks off, I'm gonna be rich." I also doubt seriously Huguette Clark made an announcement to the nurse that she was leaving her $30m when she did pass away. (The article did state the nurse was surprised by the bequeathal.)

I, personally, believe the nurse should just take her money and run. If she wants to give the lion's share of the wealth to organizations and agencies to help those in need, God bless her and more power to her. But, for anyone to suggest she cared for Ms. Clark for money ... well, if that were the case, I doubt Clark would have lasted the 20+ years the nurse cared for her!

Furthermore, I find it sad that so many people feel compelled to post ugly comments on this site at the expense of others solely for the sake of proving they are alive. It shows a gross lack of integrity and personal quality to dump slurs on the nurse, Huguette Clark, or other posters here when you have no knowledge of any of them. And, if you haven't got integrity, you don't have much. And integrity, obviously, is one thing this nurse is not lacking.

People, people - this story is being use to illustrate a potential ethical dilemna regarding healthcare of rich elderly patients. It is designed to protect their wellbeing. No one, and I mean no one, is infering that anything untoward happened in this case. To get what this story is about, you need to put it in the larger context. Allowing medical staff to accept huge bequeaths provides a tremendous incentive. The field of economics is basically the study of incentives. People respond to that. This is why it could become a huge ethical quagmire.

So Stoops2Conquer, take a deep breath...exhale...and relax. There's no need to go on some anti-intellectual "ivory tower eggheads no nothing about nothing" rant. Nor is there a need to disparage the author of this article so vituperatively.

Rachel222

Have any of you read the other story about the lawyer alienating Ms. Clark from her 21 living relatives for the past 7 or 8 years. If that was the case don't you think the nurse who is her closest friend would be on it too??

Ummm ... Nope. It's a big leap to assume the healthcare giver was in cahoots with the attorneys and financial advisors. As I previously noted, I doubt this woman would have been able to do her job for 20+ years if she were focused on money. Ms. Clark probably owuld not have lived past 90!

And i do respectfully disagree with the post. You say you are a health care provider and you see no difference from the poor patient to the rich patient, however if the multimillionaire patient said that you were there [sic] close friend and wished to leave you with a large reward for that, don't you think that you would start to disregard other patients as not to lose your $30 million inheritance??

Again, if you read the article carefully, you see there was no indication the nurse was aware that she had been made a recipient of her patient's generosity.

what if you were her family who was left with nothing, not that they necessarily deserve any, but if you had been close w/ auntie until 2005 and then were cut off, wouldn't you be upset that this woman got 30 mil and you were cut out of her life and left w nothing??? think about it!!
#1.18 - Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:09 AM EDT

Okay. I've thought about it. And I don't see that your final argument has any bearing on this issue. And, aside from that, people are cut out of wealthy relatives' wills everyday for countless rational and irrational reasons. Huguette Clark had been isolated from her family, for whatever reasons, for a long time. Since we don't know all of the circumstances surrounding this situation, it is not our place to pass judgment on Clark or her family ... or her nurse.

Rachel222

Bladepolisher...sorry, after that comment, I just can't stop laughing. Oh, the irony. Nice one Zip!

I beg to differ Ivanho75. The author's final words were that she should "donate all of her windfall"; meaning, if she wants to be ethical the way he thinks she should be ethical.

Which part of he was not just idly, benighnly ruminating through the dreamy realms of existential questions about what is right and what is wrong for willing students sitting at his feet, whilst he dispensed grand wisdom for the ages, did you miss, mon ami?!

When so called authorities/experts are thrown out there by editors needing to fill space at all costs - regardless of the value or social relevance of the article - as was the case here - the authors who buy into the editor's agendas should expect to have rained down upon them the type of criticism they so justly deserve for being complicit in said agendas. Maybe next time they will think before they pontificate.

But, fortunately, as in the case of the nurse, who does not need to take this "experts" ill thought out advice, nor do I have to respect his inability to see the forest for the trees.

It is oh so easy for those who have never had to "walk the walk", that this kind woman walked for twenty years giving herself to caring for Ms. Clark, to enviously think she should "give it back" and make inappropriate statements that impugn her integrity.

I stand by my statement, as I am sure you will yours. Viva la difference!!

Having been a personal caregiver twice in my life for a total of 4 1/2 years 24/7, for parents, I would expect to receive more than other heirs IF there is an inheritance of any type. My only question is----was she a paid caregiver? That puts a different light on things. Nurses are paid and paid well for what they do. I do believe that if Miss Clark was of sound mind she has the right to do with her money as she sees fit. Having filed the will, it is open to probate; so, this is by no means over. Lets see where it goes?

@follow the yellow brick road...... I disagree with your comment about nurses are well paid. My dear I have been a nurse for two years now I do not think I am well paid for my work. my full time job can't even cover my monthly bills, I am working two jobs to survive. Please get your story right before writing any comment.

If she wasn't in contact with her family or had no relationship with them to speak of, then why would they expect a dime? Seems that they should be considered the greedy ones. The nurse was there every single day, dressing the woman, cleaning her, probably reading to her, etc. I know who I would leave MY money to!

Vivian92, My wife has been a Medical Technologist for 36 years and has worked at 5 different hospitals. I've personally worked at one for 6 1/2 years in outside transportation. You're a rookie and apparently at a low paying hospital. You might also be an LPN rather than an RN? Big pay difference. If you're not knocking down $30.00 plus an hour, you need to move on. $62,000 a year is not bad money at all. In Conclusion, I DO know what I'm talking about, probably more so than you. Assuming you are an RN.

To imwhitewolf,

What's wrong with a nurse or doctor whose been a close confidante and friend of a highly reclusive patient, as is the case with Huguette Clark, from being included in a will?

If you had read Miss Clark's biography, you'd know that she's a woman who lived practically all of her entire 104 years of life both apart and alone; except for servants and medical personnel who had traveled with her and cared for her throughout those years, she had no real family.

Consequently, her private nurse and doctor were the closest thing to meeting that familial requirement and as such are fully worthy and deserving of any inheritance she chose to bestow on them!

Huguette Clark should have been advised to make the gifts while she was alive to avoid any conflict and to provide a chance to make it clear that these were her wishes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making the gifts.

She had an attorney and an accountant. They were sleeping on the job apparently.

RB- the way I read what you've said, Ms. Clark was only able to befriend people who worked for her. Bummer.

As for your comment Rich, if a doctor saves a patient and receives a huge gift, the gift should go to the institution, not the doctor. A doctor takes the Hippocratic oath and in so doing forgoes the luxury of picking up million dollar gifts. Also, you assume she was fully aware of what she was doing. Truth is, we'll probably never really know.

I used to work with a guy who received a huge check from a client (he was a financial advisor). The client wanted him to know how pleased he was with the advice he was giving him. He wanted to cash that check worse than anything, but sent it back to the client and told him he couldn't take it. He accepted a six pack of beer instead. Class and ethics, and he never had to worry about anyone calling his integrity into question. (His sobriety, maybe...)

It MIGHT be a little questionable..................she had already bought the Nurse FOUR houses!

Stoops2Conquer, I agree with you. Leaving the nurse this much money is simply a sign of gratitude for her care. When I had my children, I brought candy to the delivery ward and to the doctors who helped me bring them into the world. Should they not have accepted my <small> gift of gratitude? Yes, they were doing their job and I really appreciated that. But what's wrong with saying 'hey, I recognize you were just doing your job, but you really made my life bearable during this time, and here's how I want to thank you'. What is wrong with that? I think it's wonderful when we recognize others for a job well done.

Wait, wait, wait...did you just equate a box of candy and $30 million as the same level of gift? If that is the case, then if Ms. Clark had left the nurse a box of candy, wouldn't we still be up in arms about this whole issue?

It is wonderful when we recognize people for the work we have done. The issue comes when the line blurs as to amount. The issue may not be with this particular case, but how many nurses out there may be not acting in the best interest of their clients because they now feel they may be receiving a huge payoff in the future? Sets a troublesome precedent in my mind...

The amount is irrelevant Jdillydawg. It was Ms. Clark's right to give every penny she had, if she so desired, to whomever she wished to give it, and given she obviously cared for and was grateful to her nurse for being there for her decided this was how she wished to thank her.

It is no ones business to whom she leaves anything; what we are seeing here with the disparagement of the nurse and Ms. Clark's bequest is nothing short of selfish minded envy and nastiness.

To say that this "sets a troubling precedent ..." is to suggest that you, or I or anyone has a right to intrude into the private decisions of how an individual conducts their private financial and personal relationships, which none of us have the right to do.

This is a world where adult decisions to direct the course of our lives must be respected; just because you or I may think that someone is making a mistake - with their money or their choices regarding relationships - does not make no never mind (as the Amish are given to saying).

What are you suggesting that laws be passed forbidding others to leave what they choose to leave to those whom they choose to leave it to because you or some other "authority" like the author of this article deem their personal choices less than "ethical"?

If so, then sir, you are seriously in need of some lessons re. learning to respect the free will and rights of others to do as they choose with their lives and wealth.

You cannot legislate morality nor impose it, the resulting destruction of personal liberties is always infinitely worse than the problem the sanctimonious seek to cure by their self-righteous strong arm tactics and use of force.

jdillydawg, are you close personal friends of her family and children? Maybe all they ever wanted from her was money and gifts and spent no time with her when they were young so she cut them off. What makes it so wrong to be friends with the people you chose to surround yourself with to live your life?
If I become horribly rich, or not, no matter, what I leave to my friends and family should be no one else's business, as long as I haven't screwed up and decided not to pay my taxes for 30 years making everything I own upon my deathbed seized by the government in order to make up my debt and not pass it along to my children. If someone takes care of me for 20 years as I aged I would want to make sure that they were well repaid for their time and their care.

30 lashings. Don't let it happen again!

30 lashings. Don't let it happen again!

That dog and I had some of the best years of my life. I sure miss that dog...and his wallet.

Or she could quit, with $30 mill, she never has to work again

There was no hospital involved. This was a private duty nurse, providing in-home care.

Perhaps if her family offered their presence they would have received an inheritance.

The problem with this is the lawyer, and the nurse kept the family from having access to the patient for a number of years. The people that stood to benefit the most cut off the family.

As a healthcare professional I do consider it a bio ethical problem. Healthcare providers do have the ability to effect the way a person feels about their family, etc. because the patient is dependent on that person. I imagine the nurse was paid handsomely for her services, and and since she was living in a hospital, the private duty nurse basically sits by the bedside, but the hospital staff is responsible for routine care.

But do you know exactly and for sure what went on... if not then it is nothing more than an assumption????

I agree she should get to keep all the money - its a private affair -the hospital she worked for doesn't need to take it from her - it was written in a will she had no clue she was getting it.

There had been allegations of the nurse and lawyer keeping the family away and past large gifts they orchestrated for themselves. These sort of predators always socially isolate the person then help themselves.

How exactly do you "Keep a family away" for 20 years without them ever complaining to the police, or just walking in, or something?

Mandy, it's easy. You don't owe it to your family to keep them in your life, that what makes close families a beautiful thing when they make it their goal to keep their family together. Maybe her kids got into drugs or drinking or gambling and she chose to not enable them by keeping them in her good graces. I'm sure her family had issues with it-but if no one in all this time ever found anything wrong except for the most recent rumours about the lawyers, then I would highly suspect it came down to some family issue. If its my house, and I don't want you there, I'm not going to let you in.

Furthermore, what you really owe to your children is to raise them to be adults and learn how to take care of themselves, to be independent, self-sufficient. People who don't raise their kids to be so I'm sure, struggle with these issues while 30 year old Johnny or Susie is still living with Mom and Dad in the basement with no job and not contributing to the family's well being. One some level I'd like to hear what the kids have to say about all this, and on another level, I don't really think it's important to us-it should be between Mrs. Clark and her beneficiaries.

Cat, thats exactly what I am saying. People have been saying the nurse kept them away. The nurse didn't "keep the family" away from her. They either kept themselves away, or she kept them away. The only way the nurse did it would be to imprison the old lady

I am in complete agreement with the author. When large sums of money are involved it is necessary to question and investigate the situation when someone passes away (especially if that individual is advanced in age) and bequeaths an unusually generous inheritance to anyone outside of the family especially a caregiver.

It IS the business of others when the potential for abuse and undue influence is so great...if you have nothing to hide and everything is above board why should you mind.I worked for 20 years in the home healthcare field and on occasion was the recipient of small tokens of a family's gratitude, this was done either through the agency I worked for or depending on the circumstances the family of the client in question. If it were a loved one of mine, I would go to the ends of the earth to assure that there had been no foul play or undue influence involved.

Tea Party much Robert??

What's an idoit?

You should really bone up on medical ethics. This simply illustrates a potentially huge ethical dilemna. Allowing medical professionals to accept huge bequeaths potentially creates a large incentive. People respond to incentives.The integrity of the healthcare system has to be seen as unimpeachable. This is not about money for hospitals at all. That's way off base.

After all, this nurse was one of Miss Huguette Clark's "closest confidantes" for more than twenty years! D

This was what the nurse said. Family access had been cut off, and no one knows if Huguette hadn't allowed them in her life, or if she even knew they were trying. An attorney, who has power of attorney and who stands to directly benefit from actions taken on the patients behalf, can make many decisions that perhaps the person didn't want, or had decisions influenced by others.

Rescue dogs62,

"Google" "Huguette Clark" and read some of the biographical data. Also, there's a PBS documentary you can watch that details her life. She was a recluse who lived for 104 years, surrounded only by servants and medical personnel and had freely chosen to divorce herself from her blood relatives many years before this nurse or doctor ever came into her employ. They fully deserve whatever she chose to give them.

RB:

THAT is the operative word, ie. "CHOSE."

She was declared NON-LUCID the first time the authorities were able to get to her at age 104.

HOW LONG had she been that way - with this will made out at age 98 and everyone except the beneficiaries /Executors kept away from her?

She did NOT become Senile OVERNIGHT.

Are you the real (TV) Dr. Phil? If so, please bone up on the documentary evidence that's available on Netflix "documentarys" and on PBS.com. This woman lived an "eccentric" but not mentally deranged existence for most of her adult life. She just decided early on that she was tired of being used by people who only wanted to get to her money. It's commonly referred to as the "poor little rich girl syndrome." Throughout her long life, she lived reclusively and traveled the world with an entourage of servants and health care professionals. The decision to bequeath her nurse and doctor this money was not an abberation that resulted from any degenerative condition such as senility; it was just her way of rewarding the people who had cared for her and who she (and they) viewed as extended, "bonded" family.

*sigh* So much confusion on this issue -

This article simply illustrates a potentially huge ethical dilemna. Allowing medical professionals to accept huge bequeaths potentially creates a large incentive. People respond to incentives.The integrity of the healthcare system has to be seen as unimpeachable. This is not about money for hospitals at all. That's way off base. Nor is it about this particular case! No one is suggesting this nurse did anything wrong. THAT'S NOT THE POINT!. It's about medical ethics people!!!

Rescue Dogs62 is right.

Thank you, RBTatt...if 16 year olds like that gymnast a few years back can legally extract themselves from their fame-seeking parents, why can't a grown woman keep her kids from being a part of her life? I would agree to anyone who says it sucks that she couldn't keep them but we don't know all the circumstances, so why judge?

I agree. Funny how many people can tell others what to do, how to spend, what is ethical. blah blah blah....

Well, this is a message board folks. It's our job to tell people what to do here. If we didn't, we would be failing miserably.

Now get writing and start telling someone else what to do. It's your duty - and right - as an American!

Rod Tanner, it's people like you (the one's who just don't get it and sadly never will) who give legitimate, thinking bloggers out here a bad name! This case, as any rational, reasonably intelligent human being realizes, is a classic that will either (1) uphold or (2) further erode the Doctrine of Judicial Fairness for everyone of us living in the United States of America! It gives all of us (as well as the people around the World who are watching as well!) an opportunity to see just what justice we Americans can expect to see today and in the future from our United States Court System!

RBTatt, you are speaking gobbledeegook. I think it is obvious that you and the author, are simply just ENVIOUS !!! It is none of your business, what she wants to do with her money.

That's what will's are for. Isn't it?

If you are talking about ethics, what is wrong with getting a bonus from your very grateful employer, for a job well done, and for LOYALTY ?

Answer that you oh you self-rightheous ones!

Eagle Eye99, if you had taken the trouble to read the various blogs I've posted, you'd know the both of us (that is, you and me) are in complete agreement. YES, the nurse and doctor should absolutely get the inheritances Miss Huguette Clark bequeathed them!

NOT CLOSE ENOUGH to bother to even go to the cemetery with her when she was all alone - that final time.

Even her DOG would have gone, if she'd had one.

("I go by peoples actions - NOT by what they say." Dr. Phil)

What the hell does a lawyer have to do with this.

She was getting PAID to take care of her. That was her job. She wasn't doing it out of the "goodness of her heart."

RESCUE_DOGS62, I think it is obvious that you and the author, are simply just ENVIOUS !!! It is none of your business, what she wants to do with her money.

That's what will's are for. Isn't it?

If you are talking about ethics, what is wrong with getting a bonus from your very grateful employer, for a job well done, and for LOYALTY ?

Answer that you oh you self-rightheous ones!

Rescue_Dog

She was getting PAID to take care of her. That was her job. She wasn't doing it out of the "goodness of her heart."

It almost sounds like you think there could not be any emotional attachment between the 2 women. I got paid for being a CNA for many years in a nursing home and was told a million times not to get attached to the patients. But I'll be darned if I didn't cry almost every single time one of them passed away or went home.

Wow Rescue Dog,

I get paid to do my job and am very grateful to get my bonuses when we do well. I will not give them back.

How do you know she didn't do it out of the goodness of her heart. You don't spend 20 years if you don't like what you are doing.

*sigh* So much confusion on this issue -

This article simply illustrates a potentially huge ethical dilemna. Allowing medical professionals to accept huge bequeaths potentially creates a large incentive. People respond to incentives.The integrity of the healthcare system has to be seen as unimpeachable. This is not about money for hospitals at all. That's way off base. Nor is it about this particular case! No one is suggesting this nurse did anything wrong. THAT'S NOT THE POINT!. It's about medical ethics people!!!

Rescue Dogs62 is right.

yea its medical ethincs, but thats like saying that you cant have both a professional and personal relationship with someone. If the lady wanted to give her 30 mill, then let her.

Since she lived to be 104, I think it's doubtful that her death was suspect. Obviously, her nurse looked after her very well and she did have a will to live. Only the jelous people on this blog will cry ethics. If they were the nurse, I'm sure they wouldn't think twice about taking it.

Good point Rob. I guess a will is not taken seriously and your wishes can be overturned. How sad.

arrrgggg! Does noone on this vine understand the ethical dilemna being considered here??!!

This article simply illustrates a potentially huge ethical dilemna. Allowing medical professionals to accept huge bequeaths potentially creates a large incentive. People respond to incentives. The integrity of the healthcare system has to be seen as unimpeachable.

Causitry (applied ethics) is not cut and dry. It's a complex subject which often lacks perfect clarity or perspicacity. Escpecially in the medical field where we are talking about the welfare of people.

It's not about this particular case!

No one is suggesting this nurse did anything wrong. THAT'S NOT THE POINT!. It's about medical ethics people!!!

I would agree with the medical ethics if they had known each other for 2 months. But 20 years???? Come on, They were great friends by that time

Only for those who have no estate to leave.