I am scared to do CPR

Nurses General Nursing

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I am frightened that I won't do it right, or that I will freeze in the middle of someone needing to do it. To clarify, I LOVE being a nurse, I love caring for people, and making their day better or easier, and I know nursing is not all peaches and sunshine. I am an LPN. I am still going to school for RN. But I just wonder if I am enough, or do I know enough. Are my techniques correct, am I doing it EXACTLY like I am supposed to, and I worry I forget things or don't remember every step. I know CPR is not about you, it is about the person you are trying to save. I just am so frightened that something I do will hurt someone instead of saving them, and I so want to do everything right. Otherwise, I feel I have great assessment skills, and seem to do fine at work, and catch things that get over sighted sometimes, and am thorough otherwise. I did well in school, passed my boards the first time. I am just not sure of myself. Does that make me a terrible nurse? Does that mean I shouldn't do this line of work if I am so unsure? I'm not a know-it-all, I just feel I need to constantly be learning, and how to do I make sure I am, constantly refreshing my skills and my knowledge without seeming stupid? I just want to do everything right!

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Yes, it's really important to take the time to coddle the feelings of people in the room. Sure, those seconds could mean the difference between getting blood to the person's brain. But why preserve brain tissue when you can instead preserve someone's feelings?

I agree. Also, if you take ACLS or BLS they will tell you that the code leader should be critiquing how people are doing in their roles in the code, which includes telling them if they are not doing good enough compressions

Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

You'll be surprised how helpful everyone is during a code. I've had to do compressions but not the ambu bag yet. I can never get the bag covered on the dummy so I'm not feeling very confident with the breathing. I actually love the excitement of a code in a learning nurse sort of way, lol. I bet you will do just fine when the time comes. Like a previous poster stated "and if you do nothing?"

I have been a nurse for 30 years, started compressions once in all that time... the odds are with you!

Focus on the things you can control.

Specializes in CICU.
Yes, it's really important to take the time to coddle the feelings of people in the room. Sure, those seconds could mean the difference between getting blood to the person's brain. But why preserve brain tissue when you can instead preserve someone's feelings?

Trust me, I don't worry about coddling. However, I am also not a b*&%h. Sarcasm isn't required, instruction is. Rather than interrupting compressions (which happens way too much as it is), telling the person how to perform compressions will likely result in "getting some effective compressions here".

And, by "telling the person how to perform compressions" I mean stating those three little words "Harder And Faster".

If you are a 90# weakling, then yeah, get off the chest and record or something.

How did you learn to do CPR? For me, it sure as heck wasn't in any BLS class.

I've been an LPN for 31 years and only did CPR once. In the ICU, we were watching the patient monitor as he brady-ed down to "0". My first compression cracked his ribs, he had a gaping chest wound as well. When the time happens, you will instinctively know what to do. :nurse:

Trust me, when the time comes you will do fine. I am an LPN now, but there were a couple of times where I had to actually help give CPR as a nursing assistant to patients who were coding in the hospital. When a patient is literally dying right before your eyes believe me, you aren't going to be worrying about if your technique is correct or not :woot: that was the last thing on my mind in those moments. But having said that, it's OK to be concerned about this and to go through it before you actually have to do it. You will make a fine nurse

I agree. Also, if you take ACLS or BLS they will tell you that the code leader should be critiquing how people are doing in their roles in the code, which includes telling them if they are not doing good enough compressions

They do that at the hospital where I work - and I've been in on a few codes myself where I helped give CPR. On those occasions the code leader would shout out that the person giving compressions wasn't going deep enough etc - there were a bunch of us lined up taking turns then relieving each other. It's actually a lot of work to do it properly and it tires you out fast. And it has to be done properly to have effect

Trust me, I don't worry about coddling. However, I am also not a b*&%h. Sarcasm isn't required, instruction is. Rather than interrupting compressions (which happens way too much as it is), telling the person how to perform compressions will likely result in "getting some effective compressions here".

And, by "telling the person how to perform compressions" I mean stating those three little words "Harder And Faster".

If you are a 90# weakling, then yeah, get off the chest and record or something.

How did you learn to do CPR? For me, it sure as heck wasn't in any BLS class.

hmmm, If someone's doing CPR wrong they really just need to be pushed out of the way. Not a good teaching moment.

After the code would be time for that. I agree, there's no need for sarcasm or nastiness. Just say "I took over 'cause I noticed you were doing this and this instead of this and that."

Specializes in CICU.

I disagree - I would say it is the perfect teaching moment. Again, we aren't talking about theoretical physics. "harder and faster". I assume a nurse can follow simple commands. In the codes I've been in, there are usually about 3 people trading off doing compressions - one of them can lean in and guide.

Quality compressions are very important, of course. I would argue that it is also the simplest responsibility in the room, and therefore perfect for the new and scared. And, a great way to learn to be a part of a code team.

practice, till you feel more confident!

you could ask a cpr instructor, or a paramedic to show you exactly how to do the chest compressions and how to make sure that you're doing effective breathing (and how to reposition the head, neck if not). They are usually glad to help anyone who wants to learn.

keep the arms straight, no bending them, you are going straight down with your compressions, and will be forcing down with the trunk of your body (your body is the hydraulics) , not just pushing down with the strength of your arms. while you are doing this, keep in mind that you are pumping their heart for them, do it rhythmically, steady and swift. (about the same flow as a really fast, intent stomping walk). keep your hands clasped one over the other with the brunt of the force coming from the palm (heel) of your hand. If you are doing 2 person cpr, pay attention to what your partner is doing and if they are effective, if they are not, you may have to do it all yourself, which seems tiring, but adrenaline is your friend here.

Not all healthcare workers offer to jump in and start CPR, and many of those either do it half way or take too long to start. It is good that you are even concerned about it and thinking ahead.

Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.

I've done 3 codes this year (my first,2nd and 3rd ever) #2 was a big guy in isolation and I was first in the room so jumped up on the bed with my knees to start while others gowned up. The 3rd and most traumatic was a motorcycle victim on the side of the freeway 2 months ago. I pray everyday for a good shift and to keep my patients stable.

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