Had my First Pedi Code today...

[TexasPediRN]

i've been a nurse 2 years, never had a pedi code, let alone an adult code.

i dont know how i did it.

this was a trached baby with a plug - i didnt think i knew what to do, but i did. baby desatted to the 30s, hr in the 20's. cpr started..didnt even last 10 min, but felt like an eternity.

got told i did a really good job and was on top of everything..

but i dont know how i did it..

i know they say codes bring on an adrenaline rush- but i was just shaking for 5 minutes!! i guess its like an out of body experience- inside during bagging her i was panicking and shaking and could feel my heart pounding, but still did what i had to do.. afterwards it all came to the surface..

wow..

did i mention this was my last day on orientation? :)

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

My last day of orientation 10 years ago was almost exactly like that! Only the baby's trach wasn't plugged, it was dislodged. I remember feeling just like you do, and spending hours replaying it all in my head. The teamwork that just happens in situations like this is always a mystery and a miracle. Somehow, everyone just does what needs doing. It's great, isn't it? You've survived your first code... the next one will still be traumatic, and the next one and the next one. But you'll do what needs doing. Great job!

[suanna]

If ever your patient codes (adult or pedi) and you don't get a little shook-up you have been doing this too long. It sounds like you did fine!- I've seen seasoned nurses lose it in a code and lock up. I've suffered from "brain freeze" myself- that's why you call a code TEAM. Hears hoping you never have so many codes the it becomes just another day.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I remember my first code, they asked for a bag, and I was like "what's a bag and where do I find one?" This was after about 4 years of experience and going through the crash cart about once a week. You did SUPER!