Because I'm a big baby

[yarrumzil]

Graduation is less than 7 months away. I have always been kind of proud I have made it this far in nursing school without crying. I have watched others cry and hyperventilate to the point I felt like I could literally see them throw off their body's pH. Then it happened.

A simple IM shot of vitamin K to a newborn. A new life that has just left it's safe warm womb and is now learning the basic rules of life- breathing, eating, and FEELING PAIN. I'm not sure what happened, the moment I poked that poor baby with a needle I lost it. I completely forgot how to nurse. I lost it so much that when my other class mates asked me what the happened they thought I knew a baby that had been shot by a gun. I couldn't even...

I do love my clinical group, they actually thought it was comical that inflicting necessary pain on an otherwise innocent life that literally has no concept of the pain I inflicted on her was the thing that made me crack.

An hour later we are walking to our cars in a far off parking lot and I'm still crying and they are talking about how they should record these strange, gut hurling sounds coming out of me as I laugh cry my way down the side walk.

I have a week left in O.B...maybe med surge wasn't so bad.

[Cat365]

Yes, probably a good indication that you should avoid a job in NICU at first. Boundaries are a good thing.

[nursemcsleepy, BSN, RN]

Ooh glad you learned that NICU and peds aren't for you while you're still in school. But next time try sucrose? Baby crack works wonders on the little ones.

[Davey Do]

A simple IM shot of vitamin K to a newborn. A new life that has just left it's safe warm womb and is now learning the basic rules of life- breathing, eating, and FEELING PAIN.

Pardon me, yarrumzil, but I interpret your response as totally appropriate to one who empathizes... okay, let's say sympathizes... with your patient!

Migod! the first time you inflict pain on a newborn (albeit for the greater good) should cause an emotional response... shouldn't it?

I sense you are a caring person who is going to be a nurse. Isn't that the way it should be?

Now, if you would continue to break down after giving IM's to newborns the 77th time, I'd say you needed to do a little self-examination. But, as it is, just get okay with yourself.

Okay?

[Farawyn]

What Davey said.

I like that you are trying to laugh about it, even though you are questioning yourself.

It's okay. You did okay. The baby will be fine.