I am scared to do CPR

[Luna1326]

I am frightened that I won't do it right, or that I will freeze in the middle of someone needing to do it. To clarify, I LOVE being a nurse, I love caring for people, and making their day better or easier, and I know nursing is not all peaches and sunshine. I am an LPN. I am still going to school for RN. But I just wonder if I am enough, or do I know enough. Are my techniques correct, am I doing it EXACTLY like I am supposed to, and I worry I forget things or don't remember every step. I know CPR is not about you, it is about the person you are trying to save. I just am so frightened that something I do will hurt someone instead of saving them, and I so want to do everything right. Otherwise, I feel I have great assessment skills, and seem to do fine at work, and catch things that get over sighted sometimes, and am thorough otherwise. I did well in school, passed my boards the first time. I am just not sure of myself. Does that make me a terrible nurse? Does that mean I shouldn't do this line of work if I am so unsure? I'm not a know-it-all, I just feel I need to constantly be learning, and how to do I make sure I am, constantly refreshing my skills and my knowledge without seeming stupid? I just want to do everything right!

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Go to 6 minutes in approx to see a decently ran code. Not loud, not chaotic, not a ton of people there, it just gets done.

[twinkletoes53]

It's normal to be anxious about performing CPR. Don't let your fear stop you from initiating lifesaving measures on a patient. The more you practice, the less anxious you will be. When the code team arrives they will take over. Ask to switch out with another staff member. Remember that when you started, the patient was dead. Whatever you do will help to save his or her life.

Has it been a while since you completed your CPR course? Would it help you to watch a CPR instructional video? Or to take a CPR course again? That way you can practice your compressions on a mannequin, & ask your instructor to tell you if she/he notices you doing it incorrectly.

I used to do CPR on infants, and even on tiny babies, where you use only 2 fingers, your hands would get cramped up & you would need to be relieved by someone else.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

I did CPR on a real patient for the first time almost a year ago. Believe me, you wont have time to worry about being scared in that moment!

[thatoneguyRN]

I agree about teaching during teaching moments; however, when someone is coding if you're not keeping their maps up, get out of the way and let someone else do it and a word of advice to anyone...don't take anything personal that is said in a code. Tensions run high and that is that, the most important thing is getting the patient back. Also as someone already pointed out, they can't get more dead so when alone until help gets there something is better than nothing! My two cents :)

That being said shouting and disorder should not be tolerated, it is ok to say everyone calm down. I have worked on the floor and in an ICU, usually the ICU codes run much smoother, however the ones on the floor got the job done too. In the ICU there is so much more support, and that is part of why they are pretty smoothly run I believe, also if you're breaking ribs you're doing it right! That is all...

[Packnurse007]

The first time I did CPR (about 30 years ago) I was petrified when I could feel ribs break with the first compression. (it was a very elderly woman that should have been a DNR). That experience kept me off chests for 2 years but eventually I had other chances (code team in ER). If you are in on a code they will let you know if you need to push harder or faster or whatever. If you get a chance to come and just observe during a code this will give you more confidence. Regardless, broken bones heal and the liklihood of you doing more damage than they currently have? non-existent. Get in there and get your hands dirty...you'll do fine!

[RNperdiem, RN]

Personally, the actual CPR part is nothing compared to the feeling you have when you are alone with a patient who is about to code. Once the code team arrives, you are part of a team handling a crisis.

Before that you are looking into the pale, scared face of your patient while their vitals tank, and you are waiting for RT, the doctor, another nurse, anyone to help you and time distortion makes that time seem to take forever.

[RNbethy]

I disagree - I would say it is the perfect teaching moment. Again, we aren't talking about theoretical physics. "harder and faster". I assume a nurse can follow simple commands. In the codes I've been in, there are usually about 3 people trading off doing compressions - one of them can lean in and guide.

Quality compressions are very important, of course. I would argue that it is also the simplest responsibility in the room, and therefore perfect for the new and scared. And, a great way to learn to be a part of a code team.

I agree with Do-over. In ACLS, team dynamics are very important. We are taught to give instructions clearly and calmly and not to raise our voices. It might seem odd, but basic human courtesies also apply during an emergency because they MAKE THE TEAM MORE EFFECTIVE.... Imagine that! :) The code leader can instruct the new nurse to perform better in a calm, supportive manner in JUST as much time (maybe less) as it takes someone to take over. Compressions are NOT rocket science, and if someone is not doing them properly -- they can usually be coached quite easily.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Don't worry. If your not doing them hard or fast enough, someone will tell you. If you are doing good compressions someone else will be able to feel a pulse or hear it on a doppler.

Make sure you put all your weight on the sternum and none on the ribs. I put all my weight in them with locked arms. We have step stools to make compressions easier. I've done compressions dozens of times. The first time I did them I got kicked off because they weren't good enough. Now, I usually get compliments and I have yet to break a rib.

PS. You get a great ab and cardio workout too.

[RNbethy]

Yes, it's really important to take the time to coddle the feelings of people in the room. Sure, those seconds could mean the difference between getting blood to the person's brain. But why preserve brain tissue when you can instead preserve someone's feelings?

I think you've completely missed the point with your sarcastic exaggerations. Team dynamics ARE important to saving lives. If they weren't important, ACLS courses wouldn't emphasize them so much. It takes as much time to calmly correct someone's compressions as it does to rudely take over his or her role... and I'd argue that it's more efficient. An empowering team dynamic will preserve brain tissue more effectively than a disempowering one.

[Caffeine_IV]

It is natural to be scared. I find I was less fearful if I jumped in on compressions when it wasn't my assigned patient.

I have also been kicked away in a non rude manner when my compressions weren't effective on an obese lady.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

The compressions look easy when you do them on a mannequin during certification. Wait until you do them on a real person, you will experience exhaustion like never before. I remember aching muscles that I never knew I had.

Sent from my Samsung Droid Charge using allnurses.com

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I think you've completely missed the point with your sarcastic exaggerations. Team dynamics ARE important to saving lives. If they weren't important, ACLS courses wouldn't emphasize them so much. It takes as much time to calmly correct someone's compressions as it does to rudely take over his or her role... and I'd argue that it's more efficient. An empowering team dynamic will preserve brain tissue more effectively than a disempowering one.

If all the person is doing wrong is not compressing hard enough then, yeah, you can just tell them "harder!" I'll agree with that.

But I think we've all worked with a healthcare worker (aide, LPN, RN whatever) who just becomes a hot mess during a code. It's those people who need to get out of the way. Teach them later.