Hey, I know you're probably regretting even posting that in the first place (I know I would) ;-). I remember starting in CVICU and having a heart transplant teenager the whole unit knew bc of how long he'd been in and out of there. I had him on an LVAD and had him post transplant. I was unable to keep up with the pace on CVICU d/t some family stuff and went to another unit. A few months later I saw his dad on the elevator and he told me he was dying of fungal sepsis and they were withdrawing care. I remember being so ANGRY that we'd all worked so hard, and all that hard work and all those parents sleepless nights was for nothing. But for those parents, and/ or for our God, we are there guardian angels, and I think a lot of people cope with that by refusing to bond with them, but I don't think that's right. I'm so glad you got to rock those babies, and that you fought for those kids til the end. You did a great job for them, and when you clock out, you can do a great job for their memory, by taking care of you. <br>It definitely sounded like you had a sucky day. I'm sorry. I do empathsize w you. <br>Working in the place I do now, we have a lot fo children that are slowly dying, and I can honestly say, I feel like I know now that I am taking care of God's child, God is with me during it. <br> I know that some nurses don't deal w things well I pray they will not be your example. Even if it seems lame, talk to the chaplin, ask for a debriefing, find a mentor you can vent to, take the dogs somewhere to watch them run. Have a spa day (however you can afford). <br>I am hoping to start back in the PICU world very soon. I know I will have these issues again, I will be writing. ;-)
Feb 13, '12 by ilovecoffeeI'm sorry for your loss. I'm having a rough week over here in peds CVICU myself. Keep up the good work.Ashley, PICU RN likes this.
Feb 13, '12 by rnsrgr8tOh Ashley, <BIG Hug>.... SO hard to be a peds nurse at times isn't it? I lasted in acute care (hem/onc and BMT) for 1 1/2 years and had to leave b/c having kids die so often was SO hard. God bless you for your work in the PICU... I could not do it. Take care of yourself, allow yourself time to grieve/cry as you need it. If you need a pajama day...do it. Treat yourself to a mani/pedi. TALK with your coworkers and share the grief...do not keep it all inside. On my old unit, if when we had a bad run and lost a couple of kids in a row, our Chaplain would come in and do a debriefing with all of us... may not be a bad idea for you and your coworkers. The child with the anaphylaxis...what a tragedy! Hang in there!!! You will have your miracle child that should not be alive soon and will make it all worth it!
Jul 15, '12 by serenidad2004This is why I work with the geriatric population.... they are where my heart is. Dont get me wrong still devastating when they pass... but at least they lived their life and for the most part are ready to go. Kids havent i dont think i could go to work and do what you guys do everyday... id be a mess.
