Do i not have what it takes?

Trauma Columnist · Nov 1, 2006

Hi Rocky - sorry you are having such a hard time right now! Three months isn't a lot of time - give it some more time.

aka_steven · Nov 2, 2006

You've only been working for 3 months? If so, give it time.

I have no prob. w/ "code brown"... it's vomit that makes me hurl also. But over the years, you get used to it. I used to be on a Vol. FD/ Ambulance...

and I was known as the puker. But there are times in bad situations where you've got no place to spew, its either on yourself/ the patient/ or you just swallow & keep working. I got pretty good at the later. Nowdays, yes vomit still makes me wanna hurl also, but I'm much better at holding it back.

Do you know anyone who has babies?... change enough diapers & you'll get used to it. LOL

BSNtobe2009 · Nov 2, 2006

To those nurses that are experienced and no longer hurl at the vomit and code-browns:

You do realize that us students here are counting on your experience being the gospel, right?

Rocky_LPN · Nov 2, 2006

see emesis, snot, ne oral secretions do not bother me at all. I was told by the House Sup the other day that i had choosen the wrong career because i refused to tech for 26 pts. I told her straight up if u need techs higher them and dont ask us nurses to do their work. ( i know i got a little hot headed but..............)

jov · Nov 3, 2006

I also notice i dont have what i call "parents instinct" u know the small stuff. I try to remember what i miss so next time i will not but its the none critical stuff that i almost always forget about.

I don't know that I would call it "parents instinct" more than I would call it "life experience." That being said, it comes with experience in life, or one could even say A G E. Don't be so hard on yourself. It will come, grasshopper...

nursemike, ASN, RN · Nov 3, 2006

3 mos. is nothing. It takes time and experience to find your groove. Healthcare at any level is hard work, and it isn't for everybody, but if you have the desire, you're well on the way. (If you find you don't particularly have the desire, there's no shame in that--like I said, it isn't for sane people--er, I mean, everybody...)

This is a human endeavor, and we who do it are human. I have what I call the Urp Scale. It's like the Richter Scale, but for puking. A 3.0 is barely queasy, but at 4-4.5, you're actually making "Urp" sounds. Around 6ish, you get to taste your own stomach contents, and by 6.5 there may be actual emesis. 8.0 is projectile. So far, I haven't gone past six at work, but that's decidedly unpleasant. But after 8.5 yrs, I rarely go past 3.5.

As far as forgetting stuff, well, I see you're 22, which is a big disadvantage. Still, even young legs have their limits, and in time fatigue will make you more efficient. I'm not a parent, but I know a lot of them, and a lot of the "parenting instinct" you refer to is just laziness.

A lot of people love the ER, but I'm a firm believer in getting floor experience, first. It may be possible, though, to pick up extra shifts in the ER to see if you like it. In the mean time, learn all you can in your current job, but do remember that what you see on the job isn't always the right answer in school. You'll have to decide for yourself which instances are because nursing textbooks aren't realistic and which are because the real world is sloppy--in my experience, both are true, at times. But school will always want the textbook answer, and so will NCLEX. Don't try to do nursing before you're a nurse, but do let nurses know you are in nursing school. Many nurses just love to teach.

Also, be a team player as much as you possibly can. If you can't deal with code browns, fetch stuff until you can. Do anything you can to be helpful. No matter how good you get at this, you're always going to need help, and if you're quick to give help, you're a lot more likely to get it.

Sorry. Just noticed from your handle and profile that you already are a nurse, and working toward the next degree. That makes some of my advice superfluous, but I hope the general idea still applies.

UKRNinUSA, RN · Nov 3, 2006

I have the same problem with code browns -it's the smell that really gets to me -I try to mouth breathe or better yet wear a mask, and I always try to find another nurse to help me. And I've been in nursing for more than 20 years. It actually got worse over the years, especially after being pregnant -but at least you don't have that to look forward to.

And unfortunately you cant escape the power of poop in the ER - I've had to look after many a fecally incontinent drunk - or what about those GI bleeds.

Give yourself a break - you are indeed human and have your limitations. If the patient's like you that's half the battle. As long as you are pulling your weight in other areas your coworkers should back you up.

Maybe you are forgetting things because you are stressing yourself out about being the perfect nurse - I've never met one yet!

karenG · Nov 4, 2006

I've been a nurse nearly 30yrs now...... and I am famous for fainting if there is any red stuff around!! I cant handle minor surgery.....well not unless you want me fainting.. but I can assist in eye surgery! I work in general practice where we dont see much red stuff..

broken bones......no way!! I spent half my time during theatre training lying flat on floor in recovery position until the sisters worked out I'd be much better making the tea!!

Karen

Buckyxj · Dec 1, 2006

A trick they taught some of the EMT students when I was in EMT school was put some vicks rub under your nose and you wont smell it at all. If that is the problem. I have never had a problem with any of it. But that worked for some.

augigi, CNS · Dec 2, 2006

Mouth breathing.

Hope2Be · Dec 13, 2006

:roll "karenG" SOOOOOO FUNNYY!~ Oh my GOSH!!!!!!!!!!