Death and how to deal

[ArmyWife,RN]

Hello!

I have posted this in the 1st year nursing board as well...

I currently work on a small, 12 bed, ICU. Recently, two of the patients I have taken care of have died. Neither have died on my shift, but I have come in to learn about it. (in one case it was after several days off and in the other the patient passed right before I came in for report)

How can I deal with this? It really screws me up and I end up sleeping for days - I would have overslept yesterday if my husband hadn't made sure I woke up and went to work.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

A.W.

[bellehill, RN]

I can't think of a single nurse I have worked with who wasn't bothered by the death of a patient. Sometimes we view it as a tragedy and sometimes it is a blessing. It is something that I too have trouble dealing with but this is how I do; I know that I did everything possible to help that patient either by medicating them so they were comfortable enough to pass or by fighting everything they threw at me during my shift.

I am getting better at dealing with the stress and sadness associated with death; to do this I exercise. Strap on some sneakers and go for a run or walk. You can't heal everyone so enjoy the ones you can!