Classmate tried to commit suicide

CHATSDALE · Oct 11, 2006

yes notify fqmily, instructors, police many many people threaten suicide before they actually fo it....maybe she needs to drop out unil she has it all together

KellieNurse06 · Oct 11, 2006

Last Tuesday, my class took a math calculation class. On Saturday after clinical, we got our results back. After I left clinical, I went to the cafeteria with a friend to eat. Before we ordered, we went to the bathroom to wash our hands. When we got there, we heard someone crying. When we heard the person, we recognized the voice. The lady is in our clinical group. I asked her what happened. She told me, she did not want to live anymore because she is a failure. She also mentioned, she had failed the math exam because of stress an anxiety. Later, she gave me her call phone to call her kids because she was going to kill herself with the stethescope. My friend who was with me, immediately went under the bathroomdoor and crabbed the stethescope from her after I alerted. We managed to calm the girl and later she ate and every seemed fine. The girl is going to have another chance to take the math exam again. She must get a 79 or better in order to stay in the nursing program. Now, I do not know what is going to happen if she does not pass the test. I was thinking about talking to the instructor privately about the matter. What would you guys do in this situation?

Sounds like this person has some real "issues"......I would be very leary about having her take care of anyone if she obviously can't handle not passing a math test, it's not the end of the world...........I failed my math test when we first started school last January......I didn't however want to off myself over it...please. This person definetly has some issues and maybe she has alot of personal stuff going on or maybe she's manic depressive and the failing of the math test is what sent her over the edge. Maybe she is just a drama queen, especially if you say after she seemed fine & ate and everything.................something doesn't add up with that person...... Do you know if she is having trouble with her husband/boyfriend/children...maybe a close family member/ friend is sick.........it could be anything really...but I would definetly try to get her to talk to someone......if you have a trusted nursing instructor to talk to maybe see them??? That's really sad for that person.... :uhoh3:

vamedic4, EMT-P · Oct 11, 2006

Hi futurenurse,

I'm very sorry to hear about the plight of your classmate - it sounds like you all did the exact right thing by intervening. I would absolutely notify nursing administrators at your school, her significant other or family as well.

Please remember that everyone's situation is different, and we need to all be treated with compassion and understanding. Until we've walked a mile in her shoes, we don't know her reasons...while it is unfortunate, her failing the math exam may just have been the proverbial "straw".

Good for you all for helping her out. Help her get help, you'll be glad you did.

vamedic4

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 11, 2006

I think you and your witness should tell someone in the nursing department because she is acting irrational and may be a DANGER TO HERSELF AND/OR TO OTHERS (Be sure to use those words)!!! Then I would not further involve myself.

I worked with Seriously Mentally Ill population in a clinical capacity (intakes, assessments, and treatment). I have no idea if she is mentally ill, but trust me when I say you two should leave her alone. Treating such patients is very emotionally and physically draining. I can only imagine what people go through who call themselves friends!!! :uhoh3:

Good luck and stay focused.

lisabeth · Oct 11, 2006

That is horrible. I hope I never have to deal with anything like that. I am sorry because that must have been terrifying for everyone.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2006

you should tell your instructors what you and your classmate observed and did to help her. talk to them privately and keep this all confidential. this person needs help immediately. there's more going on than just a failing grade on a med calc test.

i had a patient one night in the icu who had tried to kill herself by taking every medication in the bathroom cupboard of her mother's that she could find. fortunately, she was saved, but was very sad and depressed the night i had her. as sympathetically as i could (and that's another story!) i listened to her story about her boyfriend dumping her and told her that things would change over time and she would see things differently. she didn't agree. however, a few years later a young lady approached me while i was shopping at a local market and identified herself to me as this young patient. she wanted to thank me for being so nice to her the night of her attempted suicide and to let me know that i was right--things did change and look a whole lot different over time, that she was glad she hadn't died.

you have to at least keep this person alive if they are ever to find out if their life situation can be rehabilitated. once they are dead there's no going back.

NaomieRN · Oct 12, 2006

Thank you the advice everyone. I will talk to my instructor tonigt.