Yesterday I got a great big dose of what being a nurse is really like. We had a pt. who kept bleeding out and due to poor nutrition his blood would not clot. In spite of running blood in at 250 ml/hr and NaCl @ 100 ml/hr simultaneously, he still became shocky. Before I knew it a nurse was wheeling in a crash cart and we were packing him up to take him to ICU. As soon as we got down there, the doc came in and decided to take him to the OR. Everything was happening so fast and furious. The doc had me helping him and I had no clue what to do. I just took orders and did as I was told. I kept watching the fear on the faces of the family and just wanted to start crying. I managed to hold it together but it was soooo hard. There is so much more to nursing than just passing meds and starting IV's. It is so important to learn how to hide the concern from your face so that you are able to give the patient hope and keep the family calm. Yesterday was probably the single biggest learning experience I've had so far. I was surprised at how sad I felt after it was all over. I guess after you get some experience under your belt you're able to shake off one patient experience and move on to the care of the next pt. Whew!!

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The doc had me helping him and I had no clue what to do. I just took orders and did as I was told.

You mean, the RN working with you took the orders and you helped out right? .

Sounds like you did well under pressure. Be proud.:)

Wow - it sounds like you had a great experience. You are so right that nursing is not just about passing meds or doing "things." It is much much more about properly assessing your patient and anticipating a downhill spiral.

Awsome! (well, for you not the patient of course). I can't wait to start clinicals. :)

You mean, the RN working with you took the orders and you helped out right? .

Sounds like you did well under pressure. Be proud.:)

Hehehehe....right...I guess I'm still frazzled. LOL!!

That's what nursing is about!!!

Sounds like an adrenaline rush moment!

I hope the pt was/is ok.

Great job Katydidit!! Way to keep it together under pressure.:) Sounds like you learned a lot about nursing and yourself from this experience!