I am proud to be a nurse

15 Posts

So to make a really long story semi short, We had a very sick person come to our SNF/LTC facility maybe a month or a month and a half ago...this person had a muscle disease that they have been battleing for many years now. Came to our facility from the hospital, and basically came to die. Family wanted this person to have 24/7 care which is exactlly what they got. Family was very involved with this person, was there almost around the clock-us nurses really didnt have to do much but give medicines and help turn this person and tend to small needs. Since I knew this person came just to die, I told myself not to get attached-so I stayed out of the room as much as possible, but kept close ties with the family. Well its funny because the more I tried not to get attached, the more I did. One day this person took the turn for the worst that we knew was comming....Family was at the bedside every single day, day in and day out...for a week straight this person held on without eating, and barley drinking. I dont know how, but this person must have been waiting on something or someone. It was during this time I got really attached. Was in the room almost every 30 minutes every day just checking and rechecking on this person, ensuring there was no pain. respositioning ect, tending to the family-ensuring that they were ok as well. One morning I came on shift and this persons resp. were down to like 8. The family actually wasnt present at the time. I called them ASAP and urged them to come in-they came right away. I was sure that was it. This person STILL held on for another 24 hours straight. The next morning I came to work and was met in the parking lot by this persons son. He jumped out of the car and runs to me and gives me a huge hug and says "I'm so glad your here, I wanted to say thank you so much, My dad just passed and because of you I got to be there for it. He was so comfortable he just took his last breath while we were holding his hand". This man whoes father had literally JUST passed, was smiling from ear to ear, thanking ME for doing such a "GREAT JOB" and really "taking the best care of his dad"-Brought tears to my eyes on account of his greatfulness. The family continually praised me and my team of CNA's who were constantly doing the best they could to ensure comfort for this person and family. This persons wife actually called the administator of my facility to praise us and give her thanks. I was truly touched. I went to the viewing this evening, and once again the familiy contiuned to praise me, and told everyone else " this was dad's nurse-he went so comfortably because of her", and "she was so wonderful to him, shes an amazing person" ect ect ect. It made me feel so good that a family appriciated me that much, and truly felt that I made a difference in their family memebers last days. It is at this time that I forget about all the drama, the gossip, the backstabbing, the politics, the "customer service" attitude, the rude doctors, and everything else that comes along with nursing, and I rememeber why I chose this profession. I am proud to be a nurse, and proud to know I made a difference in someone's life. And for that alone, I will forever be thankful :) :redbeathe