How do you find the mid-line of caring?

vemiliob · Oct 9, 2003

I will always remember the last semester of my third year of study, while performing my clinical experience at the Public Pediatric Hospital.

We were a small group of students, rotating through the Pediatric ICU, during 6 hours daily. I will never forget our identification with a two moths toddler, connected to a respirator called "Tomas".

He was mio-relaxed to adapt to ARM but awake. It called our attention such a loneliness in which all the children were immerse, but Tomas was the only one awake. It is difficult to explain in reasonable words how, but he could express him self through his sight. One could read on his eyes a message of desperation. After many weeks interned, having a reduced contact of 30, daily minutes with his mother, and a cool relation with a desensitized ICU personnel, the two or three of our group were the only emotional contact the infant had during few hours each morning from Monday to Friday. He had an apparently good evolution until one morning during the physician's physical inspection he looked at me and said, "This child is infected"...

On the weekend, the state of Tomas became complicated and after two heart attacks, he finally died. It is not necessary to explain what was our state on Monday morning.

I believe I learned something. Seven years later I still keep in mind the strong conviction that the immune system of that child depressed because the miss of human contact.

Personally, explanations like -"God need angels" or "It had to be like that" makes me go mad.

I learned the importance of empathy and the role of a Nurse and that is what I consider to be my mid-line and therefore what I try to put in practice every day in my job.

anndor · Oct 27, 2003

Being a good PICU nurse isn't just about 'machines and tubes'. It sounds to me like you have the makings of a nurse who actually cares about her patients. I find PICU nursing so rewarding because I can care for the kids and their families with empathy and compassion, and I can make a difference in their lives. When a child dies, I also know that how I manage that situation will impact on how that family starts moving through the grieving process. Certainly, there are going to be children that break your heart, but generally, those will be overshadowed by the ones that you feel you truely helped, because you are who you are.

snowdancer · Jan 25, 2004

I get a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that I have helped families and patients during the time in their lives that is, in all likelihood the worst moments they will ever experience. Some of our patients die, some get better but in either case if I can somehow make a difference in their lives its all worth it.

Best wishes,

Jodi

Redman · Feb 8, 2004

I am like you I love children in general, I think it has to do with the innocence they have. I think everyone has to find there own "mid-line" when working with patients regardless of there age. No one can tell you how you will react to a situation until you are in it either. The most macho, tough person might melt like butter while the meek little mouse stands up and takes charge when it counts.

Anyone that stays in the medical profession long enough will eventually run into a situation they feel they cant handle, just do the best you can and remember why you are there.

Eric