My first code... ever

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello all!

I have been lurking for months, maybe close to a year now. I'm in the middle of a career change to nursing; I left the financial industry in October, got my CNA and a lower paying job than I left, and started on the pre-reqs for my 2nd degree bsn program.

Fast forward to Dec. 23rd. I start on the oncology floor at my local hospital as an aide. Needless to say, this is a small floor that only uses 1 aide for 11 beds, so we run our tails off most days. Tuesday, I literally did not sit down all day, except for a 10 minute lunch in the back while charting. Wednesday, my aide supposed to be training me no called no show, so I was on my own. At 3, they found someone to help me, and by 6 pm we were caught up and getting things organized to give report. 6:15 I go clean up and turn one of our compassionate care patients who is now unresponsive, etc etc. While walking out of that patients room, I hear a chime.

What is that? Call light? No. Bed Alarm? No. OH CRAP!!!!! Then came the words "Code Blue. 5th floor. Oncology"

Okay- who? Where? What now?

All I can think is "I'M STILL IN FREAKING ORIENTATION! WE DIDN'T GO OVER THIS!" The only death I saw in my training was a peaceful passing in the nursing home during clinicals. Nothing like this.

So of course, adrenaline kicks in. I have to figure out wth I'm supposed to be doing! I walk into the room where one of the nurses is trying to suction (the pt aspirated), the tech is grabbing the crash cart, and i start pulling crap out of the room. Within seconds it seems the room is full of doctors, RT, etc etc. So then I step back and just watch. I did a couple of sprints to the clean storage and linen, etc but mostly just observed.

I really wish I could describe my feelings a bit more, but it was so AMAZING to see that code team spring into action. WHAT TEAMWORK! I felt like I was in a tv show. My memories are so dazed now... It's all a blur. Someone start compressions. Nurse rattling off brief history. Charging. Everyone clear. Shocking. Nothing.

Continue compressions. Yelling for drugs, calling out times to the recorder. Charging. Clear. Shocking. Nothing.

Are we gonna call it?

Let's try one last time. Charging. Clear. Shocking. HE'S IN A FIB!

But then... there's no room in the ICU. REALLY?!? Someone call House Sup he is going to ICU.

I don't know how they found a place for him that quickly but within minutes they were on the elevator to ICU.

But now what? I'm left on the floor trying to sort out my emotions, my actions, what should I learn from this?

So I do the only thing I know to do to help: check on all my patients and proceed to clean up the room from the chaos. It seemed dumb at the time, just some mindless task to be done, but now I get it. It was my own form of closure on the events that just happened. I'm not capable of making life sustaining decisions yet, but I know that sometimes you just have to pick up the pieces and do the best you can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow! Thank you for sharing your experience. I've never seen a code before and I think you handled yourself really well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your reply.

Just found out that this pt coded once in ICU and didn't make it.

Haunting images that will probably be engrained in my head forever- is this normal?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CV/CTICU.

Well, now this is the time for u to go for ACLS certification in which u will be trained how to handle the code situation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

The images will fade with time, you will recall the feelings forever.

This was wonderfully written, BTW.

Best wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Your first code is always a unique experience. In my case I'll carry the scar with me for life...literally. I was running an ambulance call and fell down the stairs, have a nice scar on my shoulder from it...

With time and experience, it gets easier. The stress of the situation will no longer be there, and you'll be able to organize your thoughts much better. Like all things, it comes with time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

Great first experience...you were able to watch the process! thats great...now wait until you are an RN and your expected to do something! LOL

Mex

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Your first code is always a unique experience. In my case I'll carry the scar with me for life...literally. I was running an ambulance call and fell down the stairs, have a nice scar on my shoulder from it...

With time and experience, it gets easier. The stress of the situation will no longer be there, and you'll be able to organize your thoughts much better. Like all things, it comes with time.

Did you have to go on the stretcher then?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg and Tele.

I remember my first one as well...pt was getting alot of narcs and took alot of her own that her husband had snuck in. I was only on the floor for about 2 weeks. I remember she was breathing strangly very lows resps..then I get an O2 sat and turn the light on it was at 57% and she was cyanotic. Then I ran and told the nurse and we called the code!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics/Retirement Residence.

wow! what an experience! i'm in pre-nursing, i'm yet to go through all that, so i have no idea how it all happens (except from tv shows) but i think for someone who hasn't even done this in orientation, you handled yourself well! it's like a "christening" of some sort. the first time is always messed up... but wow, what an experience!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I remember clearly my first code. It was 16 years ago. Some things do stick around and bug us for awhile. Talking about it and don't keep it bottled up was a great thing to do with this post.

As far as your actions, sounds ok. I would be the one on the code team. I don't mind people standing back to learn and watch and being helpful to fetch something we need. As long as your not in the way, stay. Jump in and do compressions next time, ask the person doing them if he/she needs a break and you would like to take a turn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think anyone forgets their first code, even as much as they may want to. I get that adrenaline rush for every code, whether it be a "why in the world are we doing this" code or "oh my gosh, come on come on come on" code.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment