I would answer it's something that will take everything away from you, but yet you'll stay in love with your job. With every smile you see in every patient who is very thankful for your caring hand, what else will you ask for?
Nursing wasn't my first choice of career. I wanted to become a doctor that's why I decided that after taking nursing I would, eventually, pursue my dream. But one patient changed my view.
He was like a father to me. He was the first patient I handled as a nursing student. He was a 73 y/o man lying on his bed with his sons and daughter around him. On the first week of my duty, he was a post op patient who undergone craniotomy. He was intubated and somewhat (I thought at that time) hopeless.
His relatives even mentioned to me that whatever happens to their father they will accept it as the will of God. As I hear those words I was stunned and at the same time thought that "So this is what it feels like when a dying patient is in front of you."
I cannot cry!
I remember my clinical instructor said that to us. Every day, during the start of my shift he so febrile that he even got a temperature of more than 38oC. My shift is almost spent to this patient, but I never complained because I remembered my dad saying to me that before my granddad died he got a fever of 40oC.
But one day, while I was giving him a morning care, this patient who never responded to anything (he was GCS3) suddenly reached for me and hugged me. I was surprised and even looked at his daughter who is herself a doctor and gave her a look saying 'what's happening?'
But then, she also was surprised. Another lady came (I think she is also one of her daughter) and said "Maybe, because she looks like Jessica."
I was confused and asked, "Who's' Jessica?".
"His granddaughter." she answered back.
I stayed there for a couple of minute and let him hug me. My tear was about to fall when suddenly I remembered that I should be calling the attention of the staff nurses at that moment. I let go and went to the nurses' station.
Why can't I forget this moment of my life?
I never really experience having my grandfather at my side. He died when I was 1 y/o. And until now, this moment made me hang on to be a nurse regardless of how hard this career is.
EVERY NURSE KNOWS THIS FEELING: YES, IT IS HARD TO BE A NURSE BUT WHEN A PATIENT SAYS THANK YOU IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.
Remember that even though you're a nurse there will be moments in your life which will make you doubt yourself. But never let it into you. Every nurses went through it. If you give up now, who else will do your job with all their heart?
I do long term and rehabilitation care in California and the ratio is 30 pts to 1 nurse on my unit. Some of them can become critically ill fast. I am still expected to get the job done, with no overtime. LTC still has a long hard uphill battle to face. People think we do a bad job..say bad things about us...but you try having 30 pts.
you're right...we also have the same ratio in the Philippines... As a nurse, we want the best care we can give to our patients, but having to much is something else! I hope people could understand our situations...
I think you should first assess the patient's current situation... the source of pain. After assessing the pain educate the patient about the narc you're giving. Some become dependent on pain medications becoz of lack of education on certain thing or situation. After that observe the duration of the medicine you're giving, whether it's inappropriately been taken by the patient for more than it should be. If you think your right, then, coordinate it to the attending physician (in a professional way).
No one can really recognize which person is really in pain bcoz pain is a subjective matter. Don't be judgmental... I hope this helps...
"Now, that's what we call quality nursing care..."
"I told you, she was nauseated"
"The next time you suction my patient I'll make sure I won't be at your back"
I need to learn kun-fu to avoid secretions when I'm doing suctions to patients...
Back then I wanted to become a dentist, but this event made me change my mind
If someone will ask me what is nursing for me?
I would answer it's something that will take everything away from you, but yet you'll stay in love with your job. With every smile you see in every patient who is very thankful for your caring hand, what else will you ask for?
Nursing wasn't my first choice of career. I wanted to become a doctor that's why I decided that after taking nursing I would, eventually, pursue my dream. But one patient changed my view.
He was like a father to me. He was the first patient I handled as a nursing student. He was a 73 y/o man lying on his bed with his sons and daughter around him. On the first week of my duty, he was a post op patient who undergone craniotomy. He was intubated and somewhat (I thought at that time) hopeless.
His relatives even mentioned to me that whatever happens to their father they will accept it as the will of God. As I hear those words I was stunned and at the same time thought that "So this is what it feels like when a dying patient is in front of you."
I cannot cry!
I remember my clinical instructor said that to us. Every day, during the start of my shift he so febrile that he even got a temperature of more than 38oC. My shift is almost spent to this patient, but I never complained because I remembered my dad saying to me that before my granddad died he got a fever of 40oC.
But one day, while I was giving him a morning care, this patient who never responded to anything (he was GCS3) suddenly reached for me and hugged me. I was surprised and even looked at his daughter who is herself a doctor and gave her a look saying 'what's happening?'
But then, she also was surprised. Another lady came (I think she is also one of her daughter) and said "Maybe, because she looks like Jessica."
I was confused and asked, "Who's' Jessica?".
"His granddaughter." she answered back.
I stayed there for a couple of minute and let him hug me. My tear was about to fall when suddenly I remembered that I should be calling the attention of the staff nurses at that moment. I let go and went to the nurses' station.
Why can't I forget this moment of my life?
I never really experience having my grandfather at my side. He died when I was 1 y/o. And until now, this moment made me hang on to be a nurse regardless of how hard this career is.
EVERY NURSE KNOWS THIS FEELING: YES, IT IS HARD TO BE A NURSE BUT WHEN A PATIENT SAYS THANK YOU IT ALL COMES TOGETHER.
Remember that even though you're a nurse there will be moments in your life which will make you doubt yourself. But never let it into you. Every nurses went through it. If you give up now, who else will do your job with all their heart?
he's making he's way out of the execution...
No one can really recognize which person is really in pain bcoz pain is a subjective matter. Don't be judgmental...