I only held his hand

[motay68]

I was assigned a patient tonight in clinical that was getting prepared for emergency surgery. He was in extreme pain and his nurse gave him dilaudid for the first time. I was asked to stay with him while she called the doctor to update him on the status of the patient's condition. He was panting and shaking and kept repeating "I can't breathe."

I started out by trying to reassure him that he was breathing and his O2 stats were perfect. But no change in his condition. I was frustrated (not with him) because I felt like there was nothing I could do to make him feel better and wondered what in the world would convince the nurse to leave me alone with him???? So, out of desperation I sat on the side of his bed, grabbed his hands, made sure he looked in my eyes and had him breathe in and out with me and tried to keep the both of us from panicking (To be honest I needed the breathing as much as he did ). He calmed almost immediately. He squeezed my hands and said simply thank you. He asked me to stay with him until his family got there...... And then it hit me.... He was scared. He was alone. He thought he might be dying. I only held his hand but I helped him feel less afraid. I helped the person, not the assignment. I made a difference. I felt like a nurse.

It was amazing

[JBudd, MSN]

ya did good!

[Carpediem1012, BSN, RN]

You are going to be a great nurse :)

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

This made me smile.

[nlitened]

Thanks for sharing your story. These are the things that make nursing all worth it. Great job!

[Jen_Loves_Nursing]

Theraputic touch! That's why Theye teach it!

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I only held his hand but I helped him feel less afraid. I helped the person, not the assignment. I made a difference.

Oh, this goes way beyond therapeutic touch... motay68 remember this. For all we do, it comes back to what you just did...

[spaghetina]

This made me tear up. You made a difference in that man's life, one he may always remember. And you, for certain, will always carry this experience with you. Good job, nurse. :)

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

For all the bells and whistles...you just found the key to being a nurse.

I only held his hand but I helped him feel less afraid. I helped the person, not the assignment. I made a difference. I felt like a nurse.

Well done!

[LindseyRN86]

You made me smile, you deserve a pat on the back. Good job!

[Sizzline]

This made me tear up. You made such a huge difference for that patient by doing something so simple.

[rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN]

You are the type of nurse I would like to work with. Surgery is scary for most people and you excelled at your task today.