Our unit needs your good vibes...

Specialties NICU

Published

We've lost 2 precious angels recently, including one that I was attached too pretty strongly...and we have a gaggle remaining that are circling the drain. It's been a rough 4-5 days around my unit.

As always, the post-mortem care/bath reminded me of the special nature of what we do. Not just anyone can bathe that precious dead baby. Or unhook that ET Tube and turn off that ventilator. It's an honor to be allowed to do it...to pay that last little bit of respect for that sweet angel.

Specializes in telemetry.

Bortaz: I am new to this blog and don't know you, but i have been a nurse for several years and I think that the descriptive words you use in reference to the neonatal intensive care patients are appaling. While in a break room, or at home, you may say something referring to a child's condition, "circling the drain" is something that would be unforgivable if I were the mom or dad of one of your patients. I totally get the need to de-stress, not take too seriously some patients to avoid burnout, etc. I think you need to remember that you are a college educated professional. A "gaggle" "circling the drain" would be cause for dismissal if I was your director, no matter where you said it or who you said it too. You need to re-think why you do what you do. Frankly, it sounds like a 'show off' comment due to the nature of your patients. Human beings with tiny organs, and tiny fingers are babies struggling to live, not a "gaggle" of anything. Shame on you.

Specializes in telemetry.

Deltacrux, take what you need from a blog, and learn to sift through it carefully. I have mentored students for years, and love it. Students are such special kind of 'baby nurses'-not condecsending, just where you are in your career. It is a journey. Realize that your license will give you the legal ability to learn how to be a nurse, you are not one even after passing NCLEX, you have only proven that you have enough healthy brain cells to work with vulnerable people. Nursing is a process, you evolve over time. Please dont ever publicly refer to a dying baby as "circling the drain". I feel that is unprofessional and disgusting. I would terminate an employee if I heard them say that. This career is not about money, or glory, it is about caring for vulnerable people from both ends of our life spectrum. Good luck! It is a wonderful life if you love it----which I dearly do.

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Someone is reaching out from pain and discouragement, and we take umbrage at the use of vernacular? Bortaz, you sound like a deeply caring individual and I read nothing flippant or disrespectful in your post. My heart certainly goes out to you and your colleagues. I think when you have a run of unfortunate demises (is that p.c enough for everyone?) you and your crew need to find ways to nurture yourselves and one another. Have a potluck, get together off site for drinks or dinner or even a wake. Where others can't hear you so you can all unburden yourselves and support eachother and even find things to laugh about without offending anyone. Good luck to you and hoping you soon get a long run of happier outcomes. Blessed be.

Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Bortaz: I am new to this blog and don't know you but i have been a nurse for several years and I think that the descriptive words you use in reference to the neonatal intensive care patients are appaling. While in a break room, or at home, you may say something referring to a child's condition, "circling the drain" is something that would be unforgivable if I were the mom or dad of one of your patients. I totally get the need to de-stress, not take too seriously some patients to avoid burnout, etc. I think you need to remember that you are a college educated professional. A "gaggle" "circling the drain" would be cause for dismissal if I was your director, no matter where you said it or who you said it too. You need to re-think why you do what you do. Frankly, it sounds like a 'show off' comment due to the nature of your patients. Human beings with tiny organs, and tiny fingers are babies struggling to live, not a "gaggle" of anything. Shame on you.[/quote']

I think you are taking Bortaz's comments too personally. Obviously he would never tell a pt's family that they were "circling the drain." That is the beauty of all nurses, nurses can come on here and vent and let it all out. I know you do not know Bortaz, but it seems a bit harsh to say you would fire him solely based on those comments. Can't you have some compassion and understand that Bortaz is grieving right now and needed somewhere he could turn to for understanding, not criticism

Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

alyn-all I can say is OUCH. Bortaz is well know on this board; he supports posters who are interested in NICU nsg, no matter what stage of education they are @, and he is very helpful in discussions abt professional issues. It seems like you have taken his request for support and basically kicked him while he was down. Please do not do that to a fellow nurse. That is not what allnurses is meant to be.

Bortaz. Hang in there, dude.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Wow! Way to kick someone when they are down! You need to grow a thicker skin! When you work on a unit , and all units are the same, you will hear nurses say things that seem crass but it is the we deal with things. If you go thru every single forum on this board you will see things like this. I think YOU owe Boratz an apology for not being supportive! NONE of us would EVER say anything like this in front of a family!

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Thanks for the support, ladies.

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

So sorry you are going through this, Bortaz. A big THANK YOU for your caring compassionate heart and all that you do for these precious fragile babies. Sending hugs and prayers your way this morning.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
We've lost 2 precious angels recently, including one that I was attached too pretty strongly...and we have a gaggle remaining that are circling the drain. It's been a rough 4-5 days around my unit.

As always, the post-mortem care/bath reminded me of the special nature of what we do. Not just anyone can bathe that precious dead baby. Or unhook that ET Tube and turn off that ventilator. It's an honor to be allowed to do it...to pay that last little bit of respect for that sweet angel.

((HUGS)) you are a better man than I.....((HUGS))

Deltacrux, take what you need from a blog, and learn to sift through it carefully. I have mentored students for years, and love it. Students are such special kind of 'baby nurses'-not condecsending, just where you are in your career. It is a journey. Realize that your license will give you the legal ability to learn how to be a nurse, you are not one even after passing NCLEX, you have only proven that you have enough healthy brain cells to work with vulnerable people. Nursing is a process, you evolve over time. Please dont ever publicly refer to a dying baby as "circling the drain". I feel that is unprofessional and disgusting. I would terminate an employee if I heard them say that. This career is not about money, or glory, it is about caring for vulnerable people from both ends of our life spectrum. Good luck! It is a wonderful life if you love it----which I dearly do.

I hear what you are saying, but it was not I that referred to the patients as such; it was the OP :) and most likely as part of venting rather than meaning any ill will or insult.

However, I understand where you are coming from and the underlying message you are trying to convey and appreciate it. I know I have quite a bit to learn and am eager to do so -- just like I did in my last career for 15 years. The journey and all its moments are more important than the destination.

However, people like Bortaz (and his postings) are an inspiration for me as a learning professional -- and I respect that deeply.

Specializes in Med Surg.

I'm sorry, Bortaz. I can't imagine doing what you do. Sending good vibes to you, your coworkers, your babies and their families.

Bortaz, sending you love and light from AZ.

I have seen strong, capable nurses lose their bearings after a run of losses in the NICU. These nurses that are always assigned the most fragile babes, because they can handle it if the baby doesn't make it, 99% of the time they muddle through, but every now and then, they need someone to vent to.

Hoping you have the benefit of understanding friends, coworkers or whatever, that will listen without judgement, and gently hold your heart and psyche safely in tender hands.

The work you do is beyond the comprehension of most, and beyond the capability of even more.

Be kind to yourself, and each other.

P.S. There are many of us who have used the terms "circling the drain" and even "FLK". That does not make us less passionate about our work, or less concerned or compassionate about our pts. Those of you who do not understand the need for coping techniques are obviously more highly evolved than the rest of us. Good for you.

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