A difficult initiation to nursing in tornado affected area

[angie2927]

I am a brand new nurse (and I mean brand new- took NCLEX and got my license last week-type new). I work in a small hospital in northeast Nebraska near where the devastating tornados hit last night. Even though I'm really new, I think I may have already had what will be one of the hardest nights in my career.

The shift started out normally. I am in training so I was doing some computer work. Then we were notified that we were in a tornado warning. Tornado warnings are nothing new for this part of the country so everybody knew just what to do. We got the patients out into the hallway, pulled curtains, closed doors, etc. Nobody was very concerned. But then we started getting news from outside. There really was a tornado, and it was close- very close. Then we heard that there was a direct hit to a small town nearby- Pilger, NE. Suddenly, things started getting serious. All hospital employees were called to come in as soon as it was safe and we began preparing for casualties.

The more experienced nurses knew what they were doing and what their assignments were. Some went to the scene to conduct triage, others were preparing treatment rooms, and still others had to ensure that proper care was being taken of the patients already in our facility. I ended up in the front entryway helping families who didn't know where their loved ones were or what their condition was.

My kids were in daycare. There were some reports of damage in the area, but I didn't know how bad or how close to my kids' daycare. I got off a quick text to my family to please go get them, but last I had heard was my significant other was stuck in a tornado shelter at work and my sister in law was holed up in the basement. So here I was, trying to comfort families who didn't know where their family was, while I was actually in the same boat. I tried to make sure I wasn't bringing my own situation into it, but it was hard.

I may be a new grad, but I think I've already learned the hardest part of nursing. Nurses are the people who take care of other people's families even when they are desperately worried about their own.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

((HUGS)) I pray your family was ok.

Talk about a baptism by fire. ((HUGS)) You did good.

I lived in a tornado area and I have personal experience from work and at home. My prayers for the families involved.

[angie2927]

Thanks for thinking of us. Thankfully, my family is fine.

I too am thinking of the families who have suffered in this storm. At least two families have lost loved ones, including a 5 year old child, and many more have lost their homes.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

It changes you forever. You realize that stuff is just that....stuff. It makes you thankful for the little things. I have been through tornadoes and I lost everything in a house fire....except what was most important...my dog!

I am praying for those involved. I HATE storms to this very day.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I lived in the midwest when I was younger -- also an area where tornadoes are common. I didn't take them seriously, either. Put the patients in the hall, pull the curtains. All part of the protocol. But at home -- we'd been through it all so many times. Do I go down to a dark, dank basement and wait or do I stay on the nice, cozy sofa and continue reading or watching TV? The sofa usually won. And then one day, the tornado came within two miles of my home, and leveled an entire town while I sat on the sofa. Nothing in that town was left standing. At work, I encountered some of the victims -- the elderly woman who clutched the iron headboard of her bed in terror while the tornado carried her and the bed down the street, the children who lost their parents and the parents who lost their children.

Please don't say you've already encountered the hardest night of your career. You don't know what is coming and you don't want to set yourself up. (ICU nurses tend to be a superstitious lot.) But you have already encountered a very difficult night and some very difficult circumstances. I'm glad your family is safe, and I give you a lot of credit for continuing to function as a nurse even while the other inside you was frantic.

[angie2927]

Don't worry, I'm under no illusion that there will not be plenty of difficult times for me in the future. But I'm glad I was able to pass this first difficult time without falling apart :)

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Don't worry, I'm under no illusion that there will not be plenty of difficult times for me in the future. But I'm glad I was able to pass this first difficult time without falling apart :)

It's a good predictor of future abilities to handle difficult times without falling apart. Good for you!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

You did really, really well.

One of the most difficult things is what to say to families when they don't know what is going on. And to retain your composure.

That is a nursing gift.

Thoughts and prayers to all involved.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Well done for keeping it together it cannot have been easy, you should be proud of yourself!

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

one of the hardest parts of nursing is when you are faced with that moment of everything falling to crap around you because of some disaster - natural or otherwise - and you are stuck at work -someone else (hopefully family or good friends) may have to take care of your family, but you have a duty to your patients. Sounds like you got through this one like a champ!

[jojo14627]

Oh my word bless you!!! Xxx

[gunny48]

Love your avatar! Hopefully you get some thanks and support from those who work with you. Ya done good.