Felt pretty proud of myself!

Specialties Emergency

Published

I have been working as an ER tech/PCA for about 4 1/2 months now in a level 1 trauma center, and have been through a lot already! But one of the most memorable things that has happened to me thus far happened this past weekend. A guy came in with what he said was severe chest pain, and when they brought him back I could tell he was in some major distress (not like the ones who are talking on their phones and laughing while you're trying to help them). I knew this was probably going to become a serious situation. I hurried to get an EKG machine, and got the EKG in under 5 minutes. I haven't had any training in reading EKGs yet (that class is next semester for me), but I had been learning on my own time in the past about some of the major signs to look for...as soon as I got a clear reading I could see that he was having an acute MI (inferior STEMI). So I rushed to get the MD and the nurses so they could do their work, and we got the pt up to cath lab in under 20 minutes. It made me feel great that the RNs and MD told me that if I had not acted as quickly as I did, the pt would not have had a very good chance of surviving. That is why I want to become a nurse....to make a change in someone's life.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Wow, what teamwork--starting with YOU!! Well done, future nurse :cool:

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Specializes in Emergency.

Great job. Feels good, right?

In my ER, we have the "OMG EKG" book. All techs have to review it. The binder contains a variety of stemi ekgs. Quite often, the first person to see an ekg is a tech and we want our folks to know when they need to find a doc just a little bit quicker. Just like you did.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

You ROCK!!

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

Well done!

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Well done and great job !!!! Recognizing a STEMI is not an easy thing.

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Specializes in CEN, CFRN, PHRN, RCIS, EMT-P.

Great job!!!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Never ever lose that willingness to grab someone else when you know something bad is going down. Ever.

Very well done!!!

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Sharp, smart, and decisive! Way to go! You have every right to be proud!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.
Never ever lose that willingness to grab someone else when you know something bad is going down. Ever.

Very well done!!!

This, exactly.

Good on you, bro. Very proud of your actions and your intelligence. Someone else said this, but I'll repeat it... YOU ROCK! :cool:

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That is so awesome, Good work:up::up:. I am happy for you, keep it up:up:!!!

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*high fives*

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

You did well to get qualified help so quickly! I had a similar experience as a new GN, I didn't know WHAT was wrong about the Strip, but I knew enough to recognize that it was wrong in time to yell for help.

I do have one concern.... on your profile it says UC BEARCAT MURSE BSN, RN.. but says you are a nursing student.

If you are a student, your profile saying you are a licensed RN is beyond misleading and possibly illegal as Nurse is a protected title legally. It may appear as if you are passing yourself off as something you are not. If, indeed you ARE a BSN, RN, please adjust your profile as it is misleading.

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