A child died this morningLet

DPlear, I will keep this family and you in my prayers.

I can relate to this, I used to work in a peds ICU, but after seeing one death too many, I walked away from peds and haven't regreted it. I can't tell you enough how much respect I have for the nurses who stay and give of themselves so willingly.

One book my Pastor gave me when I was having a particularly hard time was called "A Window to Heaven", it was written by a pediatric oncologist. I have since given my copy to a parent of a dying child. This author writes of children's near-death experiences, or pre-death experiences, and it is fascinating to read, and also extremely comforting. See if you can find this book, and keep a copy on your unit. Wish I could remeber the author's name. A death like this is so sad as it never should have happened, but it has, and now, somehow, you need to find the strenght to return to work and another day.

We have had times when we lost 2 or three children in cycles. Our manager decided to call in EAP program person for a debriefing, it was very very helpful to the staff. I think it was the first time we ever spoke to each other about a peds death, and it opened the door for more support and sharing among us the next time it happened. The absolute worst was when we had just lost a child and the bed was needed immediately for another case. I felt so bad for that nurse, I don't know how she did it. I think that's the hardest part. Then there is always that odd quiet the next day, the whole unit is in mourning.

God bless you for your dedication and caring.

I am taking pre reqs for nursing and in alot of things I have read so far the people say to distance yourself....I know that I will not be able to do so. Dave....sorry for the loss of the patient....it will never be eay to deal with.....I will be crying right along with the family when I lose a patient.....that is the way I am. I don't want to be heartless. It will be hard, but I want to feel that pain so that I can help the family through it.....my two cents....God bless!

dplear
HI--sounds like you have all covered in the code dept--sounds like your very equipped to do all you can, hope I didn't inply otherwise---but , I guess -(well know-)-we're not God--you did all you could do. Take care and I hope time softens the memory and pain . god bless--lisa

Man, that is rough, but let me thank you for being there and trying your best. Without nurses like you there would be noone we could hand our precious bundles to for healing.

Thanks.
Jimmie

What a horrible thing to witness! I'm only beginning nursing school this fall, but I don't think I could handle something like that!

I gotta ask though, and I'm in NO way placing blame here, but will anything be done about the unhooked leads and the monitors that were not even turned on? Will the child's mother be notified of this information? Is this neglect or malpractice? As I said, I've not even started school yet, so I really don't know. It sounds though like the child may have been saved had he been monitored. Who takes responsibility for this?

Again, I'm sorry you (or anyone) had to experience something this awful. I hope you're able to come to terms with it in time.