Anyone else feel transformed in certain situations?

[Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN]

I had somewhat of an emergency situation last night w/ a resident trying to pull her tube out, I was in a different area so I had to go running when the cna called. It was a little like I'd felt in the burn unit....transformed I knew things had to be done, or who to call etc...absoulutely loved my rotation there.

Last night confirmed, I may just need more of that type of atmosphere b/c I love that feeling.

When I sit and think about things, they make me nervous! Like afterwards when I was thinking over what happened I got that knot in stomach feeling. If I were to think about things "before" it would have been the same thing, but in that moment it's like I'm transformed.

I'd like to know if that's a true nursing thing that happens if I should trust it or not or if I was exposed to it constantly I'd burn out b/c of the super high stress.

[nursejoy1, ASN, RN]

I know what you mean- If you think about things beforehand- you feel as is you could never do that, but when the time comes, your instinct just takes over and you do it. I teach BLS and this is something I tell people when they say they are scared they'll forget what to do when the need arises.

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

I love that feeling, but I know myself well enough to understand that a little goes a long way. I used to work in NiCU and PICU where things can go horribly wrong very quickly. At first I would get that adrenaline rush, but after a few years it turned into something else. It was kinda like PTSD--I became overwhelmed with the terrible things I had to see and do to children, so much that my ears would "close up" and I couldn't understand what was going on. It was a very frightening feeling. Then I had a baby with severe multiple handicaps and that pretty much sealed it. My life was so intense all the time that I finally just broke down at work one night, couldn't stop crying. In the morning the charge nurse took me to the head nurse and we had a powwow. It was my last night on the unit. I was transferred immediately to a much less stressful unit working with mainly normal minorly sick and injured kids and I felt more confident and happier.

You're the only one who knows your tolerance for emergencies. It hurt my feelings when I realized that I simply couldn't do it anymore, like somehow I was "less than." But in the long run it was good for my mental health and I was a better nurse because of my past experiences.

[proudnurseRN]

When in nursing school I told a professor about my procrastination technique. It doesn't work for many, but I was always best to study or write a paper at the last minute, and I did well. I told her I didn't know what it was, but my best work came under pressure.

She told me that was a golden sign of an ER or ICU nurse.

I'm not in ER or ICU, but would like to see myself in ICU one day. I have noticed on my unit when I don't have time to mess around (like with starting an IV) I tend to get it with one shot, quick and easy. If I have more time to think about it and dilly-dally on where I want to stick, whether my supplies are all ready, etc., I tend to miss the first or not get it at all.

So, yes I see what you're saying and I do belive their is truth to it. Some people do work best under pressure.

[nursel56]

I love that feeling, but I know myself well enough to understand that a little goes a long way. I used to work in NiCU and PICU where things can go horribly wrong very quickly. At first I would get that adrenaline rush, but after a few years it turned into something else. It was kinda like PTSD--I became overwhelmed with the terrible things I had to see and do to children, so much that my ears would "close up" and I couldn't understand what was going on. It was a very frightening feeling. Then I had a baby with severe multiple handicaps and that pretty much sealed it. My life was so intense all the time that I finally just broke down at work one night, couldn't stop crying. In the morning the charge nurse took me to the head nurse and we had a powwow. It was my last night on the unit. I was transferred immediately to a much less stressful unit working with mainly normal minorly sick and injured kids and I felt more confident and happier.

You're the only one who knows your tolerance for emergencies. It hurt my feelings when I realized that I simply couldn't do it anymore, like somehow I was "less than." But in the long run it was good for my mental health and I was a better nurse because of my past experiences.

Sounds like you've learned from it and processed the experience very well! It takes a lot of grace and professionalism to adapt to new realities in the journey and bend instead of break. My first job out of school was on a 1:3 "DOU" ped unit (they hired LVNs in those days). I took care of babies w/ multiple handicaps. My job now is in a home with 3 kids chronically ill needing 24/7 care. I doubt anyone could have handled the stress of both for too long. Bless you and your child! :redpinkhe

Kittyhawk-- one thing that will always be true about nursing is the variety within the profession! Certain personality types thrive on the adrenaline rush and the ability to keep a clear head in an emergency, remember protocols and move fast! If you feel attracted to it, go for it! But just as mustlovepoodles did you've got to pay attention to you as a whole person and be attentive to signs of stress or burnout. Being bored to death is also a hazard, IMO. A situation I may be getting into now, I'm feeling myself getting apathetic. I don't like that at all in myself.