Okay now, why am I scared to death NOW

Vsummer1 · Sep 8, 2002

You will be fine! Calm down! If a patient codes, there are people who know what they need to do. Not speaking from personal experience here mind you -- but we were told that if a patient codes to stay out of the way! I would think your role in this would be to watch and pick up whatever you can unless specifically instructed to do something.

You will do just fine, after all you made it this far!

Brownms46 · Sep 8, 2002

(((((((((Val))))))))))) Calm down..:).... Vsummer1 is exactly correct! You will NOT have the pt. by yourself. The nurse caring for this pt. will be with you. Even if you were a grad, and were being precepted your precepter would be right there with you. You will be totally in awe of just how fast everyone will move in, and take over. NO one will expect you to do anything but observe, and if you're able to ...hand them something. This will be a good expereince for you! I 've seen people when they see their first code, and God forbid that there should be one, but better to see one now...then later.. :cool:

live4today, RN · Sep 8, 2002

peaceful...you will only be OBSERVING.....no way will they turn a nursing student loose on an ICU patient. Heck.....a "non-icu nurse with years of experience" has to be oriented before she/he is turned loose with an icu patient. :chuckle :kiss

You'll be just fine! They do NOT expect you to know what to do....you are there with your fellow students to learn and learn only. No way in four weeks time will you be able to grasp the intensity of working in an icu to be turned loose as a pro.

Now.....doesn't this wonderful news make you feel so much better? ((((((hugs)))))))) :kiss

codebluechic, ASN, RN · Sep 8, 2002

Don't worry! No ICU is going to let you do anything but watch during a code. If there is one find a corner where you can see and learn.

Zee_RN, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2002

Sit back and ENJOY your ICU rotation! You will not be expected to do much of anything in there. In fact, one of the complaints students have about their ICU experience is that they couldn't DO anything but observe. If there is a code anywhere in the unit, GO there...and watch, in a discrete corner. You will not be expected to do anything. You will not be expected to be the one to notice a patient going bad...the patient's nurse, the monitors, etc. will be able to tell. You will not have the same kind of responsibility you did for a med-surg patient. Relax :)

Michelle. · Dec 23, 2005

one girl i worked with was telling me during her preceptorship in the ER, that someone coded...

Basically the rule is-- get out of the way, or jump in.

You'll do fine, like everyone else has stated, they wont leave you there alone.

Good Luck!

Katnip, RN · Dec 23, 2005

I agree with what everyone said.

If you're fortunate you'll be present during several codes during your rotation. (I don't mean fortunately for the patient, but they do happen, and hopefully you'll get to witness them). Plaster yourself against the wall and watch and listen. The more of them you see, the more comfortable you'll get around them.

Undecided7 · Dec 23, 2005

Even after you graduate and are on your own, remember the purpose of "calling a code" is to get other qualified people in there to help. A code team is well.....a team. If you don't have an assigned role, just be a fly on the wall, or be a "runner". Take a deep breath and let the more experienced people handle the hard stuff. :Holly2:

Aneroo, LPN · Dec 23, 2005

Yeah to what everyone else said.

Also, if your patient codes, no matter where you are at, you KNOW what to do! You wouldn't still be in nursing school if you didn't. ALWAYS go back to ABC and basic BLS!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 23, 2005

Best wishes to you! I bet you WILL over come the fear.

bluesky, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2005

IF you're in with the patient when they go pulseless, you will have about a minute on your own before everybody and their grandmother comes into the room and basically runs you over. You will win major brownie points if you are doing CPR or looking for the CPR board when the staff arrives to the room.