Last night made me realize

[dreamingofbeing]

I recently changed jobs going from Oncology to Cardiac. What I really miss is the interactions between myself and my dying patients and their families. I realized this after I helped prononce a patient last night at work and then helped the family afterwards. I guess maybe it sounds wrong to some people but I find comfort in helping others at the end of their lives and helping them transition form this world to the next, sometimes by simply providing comfort or by providing pain relief. I plan on becoming a hospice nurse when the opportunity arises at my current company. I will continue until then to build my skills and enjoy being a cardiac nurse.

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

It doesn't sound wrong to me.

In the past when I worked critical care, there would occasionally be a patient who was an organ donor. The body was basically being maintained until the organs could be harvested.

Some nurses would try to not be assigned to that patient. Since that patient could not be "saved" they didn't want any part of it.

I never minded taking care of that patient. I always felt that, by taking care of the organ donor, I was helping that person's family find some comfort and meaning in what was otherwise a tragedy. I was also helping several other patients, and their families, get a new chance at life with a new heart, liver, kidneys, corneas, and so forth.

I know exactly what you mean. Saving lives is important, but so is compassionate caring for the dying patient and family.

[Drysolong]

While attending clinicals, I worked with a few cancer patients. I was surprised at how muchg satisfaction I derived from caring for them. I am also contemplating Oncology and/or Hospice nursing in my future.

[YellowFinchFan]

nice post .... I feel most nurses I work with (including myself) become extra sensitive and caring when dealing with the dying and their families. I never take any measure of comfort I can give for granted - and I always look at it as the circle of life - and when it's their time - we should care for them and their families the best we can.

Sometimes I have to fight my tears to remain professional and in control - and sometimes I've cried and hugged the family - depends on the family and how long I cared for the patient.....it's never something I take for granted and I believe most of the nurses I work with exhibit great compassion and professionalism when someone passes on our unit.

I also work with wonderful nursing assistants who wash the bodies and prepare them after death - and they do it so lovingly and respectfully that I am always in awe of them and thank them for the inspiration

Someday we will all slip the surly bonds of Earth

[RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

that is SO NOT WRONG! you have a calling of what you are so good at in helping others! its not sick or twisted or anything of that nature. there are so many ppl that love that field because they CAN do exaclty what you are saying!! go back woman, go back!

and thanks for being one of those ppl that can do that!!

-H-

[rnboysmom]

Wow, what area of the US are you in??? I am always hiring hospice nurses with a heart, you are on the right track. You will be the most fulfilled when you follow your insticts. I started on an Orthopaedics floor, I was always the one at bedside holding the hands of those LOL's that didn't fare well after hip surgery or who were "shipped" to our floor out of ICU because they were dying and bed space was needed in the ICU--you JUST KNOW when it is meant to be that you have a calling to help patients pass to the other side. Do not lose sight of your calling! Good luck, and God speed.