Support for MAiD professionals
Navigating the complexities of medical assistance in dying (MAID) requires comprehensive support. This page offers valuable resources for nurses, focusing on emotional well-being, professional rights, and patient care in Ontario.
Our Services
Emotional support for Nurses
The MAID journey can be emotionally challenging. We provide resources to help nurses process their experiences, offering decompression tools, articles, and modules designed to foster mental and emotional well-being. Prioritizing your health is crucial in providing compassionate care.
The MAiD Reflective Guide for Nurses : Created by the Registered Nurse's Association of Ontario (RNAO).
- Enables nurses to reflect on their own practice and experiences with MAiD.
- Throughout the variety of exercises you will gain a better understanding of nurses’ experiences with MAiD and be able to reflect on your own moral sense in relation to MAiD.
- Develop best-practice principles for care of persons before and during a MAID death.
- Learn self-care strategies for keeping yourself healthy as you care for persons who are considering or receiving MAID.
College of Nurses of Ontario has launched a central hub with a collection of mental health resources for health care providers.
Included is a crisis line 705-549-3181 ext.5000
1-877 341-4729 ext. 5000
We provide compassionate, confidential support for individuals, families, and healthcare providers navigating Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Whether you need guidance, emotional support, or help understanding the process, we are here to support you evert step of the way.
What we offer:
- Emotional support and counselling guidance
- Education about MAiD eligibility and process
- Support for families and caregivers
- Guidance for nurses and healthcare students
- Resources for coping before and after MAiD
Conscientious objection and your rights
Understanding your rights as a nurse is paramount. This section offers comprehensive information on conscientious objection, ensuring you are aware of your professional boundaries and ethical considerations within the MAID process. We support your right to practice with integrity.
A Contentious Objection is specific to the act of MAID. Through CNO Practise Standards, you must continue to provide respectful, non-jugdemental care to the patient as a person (CNO 2026). You are generally advised to avoid sharing your personal beleifs with the patient. Instead state your inability to participate and refer them to another provider or resource.
If you wish to decline to be a Independent Witness below is an options to have a volunteer fill that role
Supporting patients and families
Nurses play a vital role in supporting not only patients but also their families through the MAID process. Discover resources and best practices for compassionate communication, grief support, and navigating end-of-life care with empathy and understanding.
OUR TRUST STATEMENT
Every individual deserves to be heard, supported, and treated with dignity. Our approach is confidential, compassionate, and centered on your unique needs.
FILL IN THE FORM BELOW TO REQUEST SUPPORT
*All support is confidential and provided with respect, compassion, and professionalism.
References
CNO College of Nurses of Ontario.(July 2025)Discontinuing or Declining to Provide Care
CNO College of Nurses of Ontario.Mental Health Resources for Nurses
https://www.cno.org/standards-learning/educational-tools/mental-health
Conscientious Objector for MAiD definition
Find an Independent Witness for MAID/Dying with Dignity Canada.(more then 10 years ago)https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/end-of-life-support/find-an-independent-witness-for-maid/
The MAiD reflective Guide for Nurses.(February 2023) https://www.maidreflectiveguide.ca/
College of Nurses of Ontario. (2026, March 4). Dear CNO. https://cno.org/standards-learning/medical-assistance-in-dying
Ontario Health At Home. (2026). https://ontariohealthathome.ca/home-care/palliative-care/maid/