First Code/Death

Thank you for the wise words and I just have a few observations. The first being I am relieved to know I'm normal for a change. :)

Another is to the "CNA"...you will never hear me refer to you as "just" an aide. I would be sunk if it wasn't for nurses aides. I am NOT an egocentric person by a long shot so my attitude is right. I'm there to learn and yes, my journey is a lot of "fake it 'til you make it". However, when it's a real person that I'm learning on it gets a little strange.

One comment I think sums up a lot of what I'm going through in that I just don't "know" what I don't know so each new situation I "feel" like a dunce. I must fake it pretty good since I still have a job but fortunately that feeling drives me to get busy and get experienced.

I fully agree that advanced practice RN's NEED bedside experience. Nowhere else do all these things occur than in a hospital of some sort and to just do some observations and jump to NP is a disadvantage. I know a few who have but that is not me at all. I made the decision to "pay my dues" on my road to FNP.

I'll take your advice and jump in next time. It didn't occur to me to be the historian in this situation b/c the attending physician was also the one who ran the code so he knew the patient much better than I. It was better for me to stand back and watch since literally 10 people showed up w/i minutes, luckily ICU is right next door. I guess I got flustered b/c I couldn't help but think about the fact I had other patients I had to attend to also. Thank You to all who replied and these accounts do encourage and direct me in my next experience.

I am so happy to read this. I'm one year into working on a cardiac unit and 2 years into nursing, and I still have never had a code. I think about this a lot and worry that I'd feel the way you do. Thank you for sharing!

One comment I think sums up a lot of what I'm going through in that I just don't "know" what I don't know so each new situation I "feel" like a dunce. I must fake it pretty good since I still have a job but fortunately that feeling drives me to get busy and get experienced.

I fully agree that advanced practice RN's NEED bedside experience. Nowhere else do all these things occur than in a hospital of some sort and to just do some observations and jump to NP is a disadvantage. I know a few who have but that is not me at all. I made the decision to "pay my dues" on my road to FNP.

Those nurses who can admit that they don't even know what they don't know have potential to be great nurses. And that you're willing to get bedside experience before jumping on the NP bandwagon is even better. Kudos!

I am also a 2nd career new RN (1yr) and work in medsurg and ER float. I think you did great to get help right away. My first code was in ICU while I was in school and I was lucky enough to have mentors who pushed me into it. I was literally forced to do compressions and pulse checks by staff who knew I was a rookie. My first few codes I put myself in a position to do compressions because it doesn't take a tremendous amount of skill to do right and learning-wise you're in the middle of the whole code scenario.

I think the actual ACLS algorithm is pretty straight-forward, but the shock and flurry involved in a code is really hard to get used to. I also think that it is a lot harder to cope with a code on the floor. An ER code, in my experience, often involves a VSA who you have no attachment to and comes into hospital literally as a corpse. Whereas on the floor you have already formed some relationship to this person, and unexpectedly they go from chatting and drinking to unresponsive. That's pretty traumatic. I hope you are doing ok and I am sure it will make you a better nurse.