Tales That Might Be True (02 Mins Read)

Tales That Might Be True (02 Mins Read) - by Allan Lee, COO CSM Academy International

As an established healthcare training provider in Singapore, we are constantly in contact with nurses, who make up a large majority of our students. Through casual conversations and small talk during classes, I often take the opportunity to clarify some of the myths I have heard over the years — and whether they believe in them too.

Below are some of the stories and experiences shared by our students who are practising nurses.

1. Last Burst of Energy There is a belief that terminally ill patients sometimes experience a sudden surge of energy shortly before passing. They may appear to be recovering, becoming more alert or active, only to pass on within hours. Many nurses confirmed witnessing this, and some doctors acknowledge it happens, although there is no definitive scientific explanation.

2. The Deadly Hours Many shared that between 3am to 4am seems to be a time when more patients pass away. While not conclusively proven, some medical discussions suggest the human body is physiologically at its weakest during these early hours, which may contribute to this observation.

3. After-Death Sounds Healthcare workers who have handled recently deceased bodies mentioned hearing breathing-like sounds. This is actually explainable — trapped air can escape from the lungs after death, producing noises that may resemble breathing.

4. The Last Sense Another common belief is that hearing is the final sense to fade. Some nurses shared experiences where tears appeared in patients after family members cried or spoke to them post-passing. Whether reflex or emotional interpretation, it remains deeply meaningful for loved ones.

5. They Know Perhaps the most intriguing — some palliative patients seem to know when they will pass. Nurses shared stories of patients predicting a date that later proved accurate. Coincidence or intuition, it is hard to say.

Given the long hours and physically demanding nature of nursing, some may attribute these experiences to fatigue or stress. Yet these stories have been passed down through generations of healthcare professionals, with many confirming similar encounters.

Myths or truths — you decide.

Special thanks to all the anonymous nurses who contributed their experiences. What about you? What have you heard? Share with us in the comments.