do any of you like codes??

Nurses Men

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i have a confession...i like codes, ok, i love codes.

i don't like that i like them, because, i know it means a human being is in big trouble. but my heart gets pumping, pin point pupils, adrenaline racing, my entire being focuses intesely on the moment....just thinking about it gets me excited.

even when they are over, the after glow keeps me going for hours. sometimes when the floor gets slow, i "almost" want a code.

my moral compass tells me this is wrong. i should not "want" a human to code. but i know they will, and the hospital is the safest place on earth for it to happen, and i want to be there when it happens.

does any body else feel this way??

i should also point out....i get very anxious and nervous when pt's expire. and aftercare makes me shake for about a day or two. i don't like death.

any meaningful comment would be appreciated.

Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

I get what your sayin, I also have felt guilty in wanting someone to code. It all started in nursing school when I was in the ICU, I was dying-:uhoh21: to see someone code, of course that was horrible of me to want, but I wanted to see some real life action, after all T.V doesn't give you the rush. Don't feel bad, I too am an adrenalin junkie. Future CCRN:w00t:

Specializes in ICU/ER/TRANSPORT.

Sometimes I feel like I would'nt care if I ever saw another code for the rest of my life. Then there are those days when I feel like a "drive up and drop off" code would spice the day up alittle..

Specializes in Peds,ER, Management, Critical Care.

I used to love codes, however now,I've seen to many children and young adults die. Also seen way too many older adults vented and only a beating heart due to meds. Guess I'm at the point that I'd rather leave them to the young nurses.

Specializes in Pediatrics, NICU, ER, PICU.

I was also an EMT before I became a nurse...so I worked lots of codes and also in Emergency for a year. I absolutely hate codes especially when working with children....my heart is too sensitive...you of course spring into action and adrenaline takes over...but once it is all over...I have to admit...I am a mess!! Takes me a few to compose myself...:sniff:

Psss...codes. The doctors and RN's hog all the glory of reviving a crashing patient. The only thing I can do as an LVN is grab the stupid crash cart(after determining their code status of course), maybe place the CPR board on the pt's back, and set up oxygen/ambu bags. I've never even had the chance to do chest compressions on any patients. I've recorded(time of code, meds given, etc) a code event though *lol*

It's funny having all these CPR and EMT certs and not having the chance to use them.

Face it, some of us are adrenalin junkies!!!

Psss...codes. The doctors and RN's hog all the glory of reviving a crashing patient. The only thing I can do as an LVN is grab the stupid crash cart(after determining their code status of course), maybe place the CPR board on the pt's back, and set up oxygen/ambu bags. I've never even had the chance to do chest compressions on any patients. I've recorded(time of code, meds given, etc) a code event though *lol*

It's funny having all these CPR and EMT certs and not having the chance to use them.

"glory" of reviving a patient? You know that a lot codes don't walk out of the hospital. You perform a very vital part of the code team!!! What would happen if you DIDN'T get the cart, get the ambu bag, O2 etc. Personally, I would be very thankful to have you as part of the "team". You would not believe how many times I've went to codes out on a regular med-surg floor and the floor nurses are not responding quickly enough, or disappear when the ICU nurse and residents show up. That usually leaves me or another ICU nurse setting up all the equipment. You can work with me anytime!!

geesh. as a respiratory therapist I am expected to show up and go full steam, maintain airway with intubation if required per protocol, and personally I would a whole lot rather hang at the door and watch someone else sweat. No glory at bedside for me. I remember my first code. it was me and the cna. I yelled over to her "go get the cart and call a code". blankness stared back. I again suggested some haste in her step. blank. so I continued alone. got a mouth full of food and a denture. nice. she came back, which actually rarely occurs in a SNF. she shipped out 911 and when she returned a few days later she had no memory of any of it, including where she last checked her teeth. ha, yes, the glory.

Specializes in gen icu/ neuro icu/ trauma icu/hdu.

Personally I prefere the "peri-code" to the code and the satisfaction that comes with preventing the code in the first place (when able). I have come to terms that for me to have "a great day" (which for me means being tested both mentally and physically including the mental gymnastics required to get to the cause of the deterioration in condition and find a solution) someone else has to be having a real bad day.

Specializes in Spinal Cord injuries, Emergency+EMS.

resuscitation (whether trauma or medical , whether or not it gets to pounding on chests ) is a buzz , yes it is odd knowing that someone has to have had have a major boo-boo to be in that state but the basic biochemical fight or flight stuff means that resus will give you a buzz

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

love codes

code blues

code yellows

code browns

code reds

code pinks

code mauve

codes in general

Specializes in Hospice, Med Surg, Long Term.

I don't like codes. I've seen many people die in codes, and that never should have been coded in the first place. It's a shame that we live in a culture that is so 'sue-happy'. Codes take place because we have to cover our a****. There are people out there who benefit from being coded, but there are so many more out there who don't. How many old people have you had to code that when you did CPR you broke their ribs? Then, if they survive, you see them suffer for a few days vented, or are in a vegetative state (from anoxia), or with many different disease states where they have no quality of life, and then they die anyway, or their family decides to have them removed from the vent? Or worse yet have them to live a few years longer with 24 hour care with frequent visits to the hospital. As a society, we need to be more proactive in educating the public in advanced directives, so more people can die with dignity. Personally, I would not want to see another family member be coded (I seen my uncle/Godfather coded). My last memory of him was with tubes coming out of every orifice. It is very common these days for family members to be allowed to come in and watch codes. This is a practice that I don't see alot of benefits arising from.

My hat is off to those of you who thrive on the adrenaline rush of a code, it takes a diverse bunch of us to balance each others activities. I'm quite happy as a Hospice RN and can ease the pain and suffering of those who are dying rather than prolong their deaths and make it more difficult for them.

Ana

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