Inspiring Patient Story-Why we do what we do!

I don't know, I have read so many great stories. I don't think I could say which was the best. I read one and say to myself, "this is the best". Then I read another and think, "no this is the best". Thanks to everyone who submits a story, they are all so uplifting.

This is a beautiful story....thank you so much for sharing.

Terrific story. I think the uplifting feeling we get from helping others is the best reward in nursing.

I often tell others that "we" involved in healthcare as nurses or doctors do not ever really determine some of the final outcomes. We have all had cases in which we do everything and the patient dies and some in which we do "nothing" and the patient lives. I am a strong advocate for advanced directives. Most recently I had a patient with an EF of 10%, fully anasarcic with pleural effusions, out of her mind to the point she was driving everyone crazy with her screaming. I lost my patience with her and I felt extremely awful about it. Fortunately I was able to care for her again and I apologized for my impatience, (she did not seem to remember me) I then took care of her with a lot of patience like I would normally do. By the second day she was clearly suffering and I pushed for CMO. I got the order and started to give her morphine 2 mg q 1 hour. After two doses she was "out." Her heart rate went to 30 and I thought this is it. Six hours passed and she awoke bright as can be. She had a great rest and I don't know who was happier for her, me or her. I had to transfer her, when I told her she asked me if I could go with her and when I said I could not ,she said she would miss me. After all these years in nursing things like that bring me to tears. There is more to the story like trying to get the docs to listen, asking for a pysch consult etc but in the end it was few good hours of sleep that did more for her than anything.

I love this story and I can feel your strong dedication to your patients. It's so wonderful to feel your contribution. It helps us focus on the difference we make instead of on all the stress in the job.
Thanks for sharing this.
Wendy Leebov