Doing real CPR as a student.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 26, 2011

I "love" codes. I 'love" the adrenaline, the moment that the thinking stops and the doing takes over and everyone has their role, knows it and executes it flawlessly.

I participated in my first code as a student....it was extremely unreal. It was a chemical code and I was able to do the breathing and it was amazing. The first time i did compressions, feeling the ribs break, that was a whole nother experience. I tried to jump in any time I was a student and pushed many of my fellow students in so they could help any way they could. I have done every role from compressions, to meds, to IV starts, everything and every one was as a student. I too though have seen people run away, stand in the hallway and just ignore everything going on. Not me though. Im in the thick of it.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2011

I "love" codes. I 'love" the adrenaline, the moment that the thinking stops and the doing takes over and everyone has their role, knows it and executes it flawlessly.
I participated in my first code as a student....it was extremely unreal. It was a chemical code and I was able to do the breathing and it was amazing. The first time i did compressions, feeling the ribs break, that was a whole nother experience. I tried to jump in any time I was a student and pushed many of my fellow students in so they could help any way they could. I have done every role from compressions, to meds, to IV starts, everything and every one was as a student. I too though have seen people run away, stand in the hallway and just ignore everything going on. Not me though. Im in the thick of it.

See that is how I am, although this case I didn't jump in, but you can tell the environment you know? At least I can, and I could tell this particular time had I stepped in myself, without a Co-Nurse or CI there with me, it wouldn't have been perceived well. It was never even called on the system. I can't go into details on here but a doc happened to be right there rounding when everything happened. It was first called as a RRT on that unit and a transfer happened and it turned into a Code. All the staff was already in place.

Anyway, I have heard the term Chemical Code, but I never have had it explained what that is and how it differs?

I am the same way about the adrenaline and wanting to see it all. I couldn't imagine running away or hiding or any of that. I too "love" that stuff. When the previous "codes" were called, I immediately asked if I could go watch. Being the student is one of the few times we can do that without being on the code team.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 26, 2011

Chemical for this person was just all meds and breathing since they were already intubated. No compressions. Basically it was pushing way too high doses of epi through to keep the person "alive" enough for family to come see them one last time.

I can understand with your situation though too. Most of my codes were during my internships and the hospital got to know me pretty well so they would just send me and my preceptor would stay behind and another one would adopt me. It is a tremendous learning experience just to witness and be a part of.

Just make sure your pants are tied tight......there is a story floating around out here of what happened my first time doing compressions ha ha.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2011

Chemical for this person was just all meds and breathing since they were already intubated. No compressions. Basically it was pushing way too high doses of epi through to keep the person "alive" enough for family to come see them one last time.
I can understand with your situation though too. Most of my codes were during my internships and the hospital got to know me pretty well so they would just send me and my preceptor would stay behind and another one would adopt me. It is a tremendous learning experience just to witness and be a part of.
Just make sure your pants are tied tight......there is a story floating around out here of what happened my first time doing compressions ha ha.

OH MY GOODNESS, now that you say that I do know that story, I didn't remember it was you, but that is the reason I wear "boy short" panties for clinicals, just in case I lost my pants I still had good coverage! HAHAHA All from that post.

Ok I get what you mean with the Chemical, that is how this patient started off, lots of Epi and Dopamine and than TPA when a cause was suspected and stuff during as well. They were vented at the start of it all right away.

Yea even had I been on the floor longer than a day, I would have felt more comfortable. Shoot it wasn't even a day. I got on the floor at 7, and this happened within a few hours of that. I couldn't even really assist much than helping because I had no idea where anything on this unit was or the codes, since I had just got on.

cogath · Mar 26, 2011

No, I would not like to code a person, I am 105 lb with no muscle. It all but exhausted me to do compressions on a dummy. I need to work out more. Also, I have read that if you do the compressions wrong and the person dies, it can be messy. There was a code called in the cancer unit nearby one day and it was very frightening for me -- I empathize with patients and family particularly in situations like that too much, and I felt so bad even though I didn't even know the person.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2011

No, I would not like to code a person, I am 105 lb with no muscle. It all but exhausted me to do compressions on a dummy. I need to work out more. Also, I have read that if you do the compressions wrong and the person dies, it can be messy. There was a code called in the cancer unit nearby one day and it was very frightening for me -- I empathize with patients and family particularly in situations like that too much, and I felt so bad even though I didn't even know the person.

I felt bad for the patient too, especially for the family I kept seeing going down the hall to say their goodbyes for the rest of the afternoon/evening. It especially hit home since I just lost 2 family members in the last 2 months that I never got to see and say goodbye too. Add to that it was completely unexpected. Which is all I can say without going into details.

But in the moment when her life was trying to be saved and the adrenaline was pumping, all those feelings are set aside, I wasn't thinking about her family or if I knew this person, it was a matter of doing what ever needed to be done to save her life and if I can help be a part of that I am all for it..

BTW at least 3 of the nurses that did the compressions were about 5 foot -5'3 and I would say no more than 100-115 lbs. One was on a stool. So don't count yourself out in the future for only that reason. Doing CPR is very exhausting even if you are in shape. :)

But, it's not for everyone and that's ok too!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 26, 2011

Wow........brings back memories of my first code, way back in nursing school. I was working with the respiratory therapist that evening when a code 99 was called over the PA system. Naturally, I ran down to the ER with him since I was supposed to be supervised at all times, and when we got there he handed me the ambu-bag and told me to bag the patient while he prepared to intubate. Me, a first-year nursing student, actually bagging a patient in a life-and-death situation! Talk about an adrenaline rush!

With the RT's guidance, I found the correct pattern and was soon ventilating the patient like a pro. Once the patient was intubated, the team and I ran him up to the ICU with me still squeezing the ambu-bag and a nurse on top of the stretcher doing compressions. It was just like "ER", and the fact that the patient was successfully revived made the experience even more Hollywood-like. Needless to say, I was ecstatic at having been given this incredible opportunity to help save a life; I don't think my feet really touched the floor till I got to the lecture hall for post-conference.

That was when my clinical instructor, who was obviously horrified that I'd been asked to do something so far out of my area as a student, explained to me as diplomatically as possible that first-year student nurses weren't really supposed to do anything but observe in a code situation. Now that I've been a nurse for a long time and am in a position where I often have to teach nursing skills to unlicensed assistive personnel, I completely understand how she must have felt.......and why she was so proud of me, even though I'd inadvertently put her license and her teaching credentials at risk.

But oh, that adrenaline rush......I've been in other code situations since, but none of them was as exciting as that first one. And long after I'm retired and sitting in some nursing home, wondering where I'm going and why I'm in a handbasket, I'll still remember how great it was to help bring a human being back from the edge of the abyss.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2011

Wow........brings back memories of my first code, way back in nursing school. I was working with the respiratory therapist that evening when a code 99 was called over the PA system. Naturally, I ran down to the ER with him since I was supposed to be supervised at all times, and when we got there he handed me the ambu-bag and told me to bag the patient while he prepared to intubate. Me, a first-year nursing student, actually bagging a patient in a life-and-death situation! Talk about an adrenaline rush!
With the RT's guidance, I found the correct pattern and was soon ventilating the patient like a pro. Once the patient was intubated, the team and I ran him up to the ICU with me still squeezing the ambu-bag and a nurse on top of the stretcher doing compressions. It was just like "ER", and the fact that the patient was successfully revived made the experience even more Hollywood-like. Needless to say, I was ecstatic at having been given this incredible opportunity to help save a life; I don't think my feet really touched the floor till I got to the lecture hall for post-conference.
That was when my clinical instructor, who was obviously horrified that I'd been asked to do something so far out of my area as a student, explained to me as diplomatically as possible that first-year student nurses weren't really supposed to do anything but observe in a code situation. Now that I've been a nurse for a long time and am in a position where I often have to teach nursing skills to unlicensed assistive personnel, I completely understand how she must have felt.......and why she was so proud of me, even though I'd inadvertently put her license and her teaching credentials at risk.
But oh, that adrenaline rush......I've been in other code situations since, but none of them was as exciting as that first one. And long after I'm retired and sitting in some nursing home, wondering where I'm going and why I'm in a handbasket, I'll still remember how great it was to help bring a human being back from the edge of the abyss.

That part had me laughing. I can just imagine!!! Thank you so much for sharing.

Jonathank · Mar 26, 2011

Right now, I'd prefer to watch- unless I'm in a situation where I was the only person there who could save someone. At least one of my instructors has said to use the method you're trained in, and I wouldn't want to have to stop giving compressions to give breaths.

After I renew my CPR in the next few months, and get certified with the new compression-only technique, I'll probably be eager to try it for real.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 26, 2011

No, I would not like to code a person, I am 105 lb with no muscle. It all but exhausted me to do compressions on a dummy.

One of the other new grads with me is 5 foot nothing, weighs 100 pounds soaking wet and got up one day and did compressions like a boss. She just climbed up on bed and laid into it for a good long time. Dont let your size scare you from trying it.

blackandyellow · Mar 26, 2011

This reminds me of the first time I had to do a code. I had never seen CPR before so I figured I would help get supplies and watch. Next thing I knew I was next in line for compressions if it wasn't for my adrenaline pumping I think I would have passed out I was so nervous. The patient ended up passing away but afterward everyone kept telling me how great my compressions were. I remember being so sore the next day! I always wondered in my head what my role would be in a code and if I could handle it. After doing CPR I felt like if I could do that then I could do other thing's and be a nurse.