Feeling like I blew it!

sunnybrook83 · Jul 5, 2004

Just because you panicked with your own child does not mean you will be a terrible nurse!!

It is different with your own child. Some nurses over-react, some under-react. Main thing- remember your ABC's, then you will be able to decide whether you need to panic or not!! eek:

There is a reason they suggest you not take care of a family member if you are working in a hospital- part of it is making a rational reaction in emergency situation.

Good luck in school.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jul 5, 2004

(((HUGS)))

So sorry about the traumatic experience. Of COURSE we freak when it's our own child... we react as MOTHERS first. I do believe as time passes, however, and you've been a nurse awhile, you might react with less panic.

Don't be so hard on yourself... this was your SON.. and you were frightened. :kiss

pgrsctrn2be · Jul 5, 2004

I haven't met a nurse with kids yet that does not panic when it is their own kid. I know and admit to turning into a complete idiot when one of my kids is hurt!!!!

Good thing DH is able to focus on the problem at hand and take care of things. I can handle the injuries of others with no problem just not my kids.

RN2B2009 · Jul 5, 2004

I can only imagine your anxiety when seeing your son covered in blood. It's a mother's worst nightmare! I'm glad he's alright.

I see from your signature that you are just starting the LPN program. What training could you have possibly fallen back on at this point? Don't run yourself into the ground. You have so much to learn and there will be plenty of opportunity for you to react in a crisis situation. By the time it's required of you, you will put into practice what you've been taught and it will come naturally.

Good luck with your studies!

dphrn · Jul 5, 2004

Please don't feel this is any indication of what type of nurse you will be. My husband has to take over when our kids get sick or hurt. He has done this for sixteen years. I do not think logically when it comes to my boys when they are (really) sick or hurt. I have NEVER felt this type of fear or panic when it comes to the nursing care I give to my patients. When it is my own children, I tend to forget a lot of what I have learned through the years. I am way to close to that situation. You are a parent first and always will be.

Celia M, ASN, RN · Jul 5, 2004

You are a Mom first and a nurse second. Just use this experience to help you understand how the parents of your patients react.

Hope your son is OK :)

lisamc1RN, LPN · Jul 5, 2004

Thank you all for you comforting and reassuring words. I have wanted to be a nurse for a very long time now, but I will always be a mother first and foremost. :) I am glad to know that I can still be a good nurse.

Something that I realize I didn't say in my original post was that this was a head wound. He got hit on the head with the end of a metal broom handle. Thank God, he is doing just fine. :)

warrior woman · Jul 5, 2004

When I had to give my dad CPR after I found him lying face down in the yard, I felt utterly paralyzed, even though I knew it was already over. I had just gotten my license 3 weeks before. Believe me, when it's a family member, you ALWAYS react differently than with a stranger. Please know that you will be an excellent nurse, and to not let this dissuade you from your dream.

ADNCyn · Jul 5, 2004

My then 11 year old son was hit and ran over by a truck...Once I got to the ER, a hospital I once worked as a student nurse, I couldn't stand to be in the room with him in that condition. I was in a horrible condition mentally, but I knew he was being well taken care of. We react as a part of maternal instinct when our children are in danger of any type, I am glad to hear your son is okay. Praise God for His mercy and grace!!! I made it through nursing school, took a break while my son was recovering, but he RECOVERED, thank you Father Lord!! I graduated a few months later than originally planned, but only God knows what is best for us and in His time... Passed NCLEX June 17, 2004. God Bless you and your wonderful family.

MelissaRN · Jul 6, 2004

This reminds me of an incident that happened when I was a kid. Our neighbor was an ER nurse and her 2-year-old went down the cellar stairs in his walker. She wraps him in a blanket and comes over to see my mother freaking out. My mother helped her to wash him up and take him to the hospital. The boy turned out to be fine. My mother later said who is the nurse? LOL. We all know when it's your own child you're mothering comes out before the nursing. You're emotionally invested and rational thought sometimes flies out the window when the mothering instincts take over.

I remember another time when our youngest child fell outside and was bleeding. My husband was sitting at the bottom of the stairs talking to her and cleaning her up. Then he says "hey open your mouth so I can see if you're bleeding from in there". I was so impressed with his calm assessment. It wasn't something that I was even thinking of. She gets bloody noses all the time so I basically just throw a cool wash cloth and an ice pack in her hand. LOL. I'm one that underreacts most of the time. I figure they're breathing and crying and there isn't blood spurting so they must be ok.

leslie :-D · Jul 6, 2004

before i became a nurse, i recall 2 instances on opposite ends of the spectrum, both involving my dtr.

1. when she was around 9 mos. old and in her walker, dh was supposed to be watching her and she fell down 8-10 steps, in her walker! i heard dh scream for me and we brought her to the e.r. on the way to the hosp. she kept on falling asleep and i'm screaming at the top of my lungs "TIFFANY! TIFFFFAAAANNNNY!!! just to keep her awake. she ended up being unharmed. talk about hysterics.

2. when tiff was around 2 yo, dh, me in front, tiff and josh in back. a bee was flying around tiffany's head; i screamed at dh to stop the car...(and mommy ran out of the car)....to hell with tiffany.. :rotfl: talk about sick, sick mommy.....

so i guess my point is that we're all human and some of us just do not respond appropriately in situations w/our children... :rolleyes:

leslie