14 months and I should have never become a nurse

Published

Specializes in Geriaterics, RN Student.

Ok, I have worked 40 hours in the last 4 days, one of which was a double on a medicare, subacute unit in LTC. I love my job, and until yesterday thought I was good at it, but I am again questioning my ever having become a nurse.

Lastnight at work, a co-worker severed most of her finger in a linen closet door, and what do I do? PANIC. :eek:

not the full out, but close enough. I wrapped her finger, which was still somewhat attached in a 4x4 gauze yell for another nurse to apply pressure while I call 911, weekend manager, and try to figure out how to call family.

Trust me this sounds like I held it together much better than I really did. I have this uncanny ability to have my voice quivering at very inappropriate and inconvienient times, like while talking to 911. I am in geriaterics for crying out loud, not trauma. But I should have handeled it better, what kind of nurse freaks?

Some one please tell me they have had an oh, **** moment and completely lost it and still managed to continue nursing. At this point I am researching EMT training, only to discover the things they cover, I have already done in school... So wish I could hit rewind and do it over, but better. Hindsight huh? :banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

I bet we've all have that moment! You may have panicked but you held it together enough to administer first aid,organise 911 and contact the family.Well done! I've lost count of the times I've had to call and have the operator tell me to slow down and repeat what I said.No one can stop the adrenaline rush happening,it's what you do with it that's important.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro, critical care.

I'm not a nurse yet, but I often worry about this type of thing. I'm pretty calm under pressure, but its hard to imagine how I'll react under that kind of pressure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You know I am calm as can be with clinical emergencies. However, if a relative or friend has a problem I can be fairly freaked out. Perhaps that since this was a co-worker you got the relative-friend reaction. It may not reflect upon you ability to function in clinical situation at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

You sound like a normal human being to me!!!! Give yourself a break.

I work in the PICU where we have kids dying left and right, codes all the time, etc. I don't really panic (and I'm new!). BUT when MY dad (type 1 diabetic) had a severe hypo episode (fsbs 17) I barely held it together but was about to panic and was literally shaking.....because it's my family, I would freak if it was a friend as well.

Your being to hard on yourself. Just because your a nurse doesn't mean you can't panic. Goodness if a friend of mine at work just about lost her finger I would be freaking out (and I see trauma all the time--we are a level 1 trauma center where I work!).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric, Med Surg, Onco.

Go easy on yourself. Who cares if your voice shakes when you call 911-you didn't drop the ball on providing the STAT care needed for the situation. In fact, I would be more concerned if your voice didn't shake...you are human! I personally think that the ability to look back and ASSESS the situation is a huge positive. This is the only way you grow and learn...we are not super heroes...even though we play them on television.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

I agree, you freaked b/c it was a coworker/friend, it definitely makes a difference. When I was a new nurse a coworker came in for the noc shift and coded right in the report room, we did a full code, she died. We ALL freaked during and for quite a while after, it was awful. It is much different if you have an emotional investment in the person.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

I agree with the above; you did what you needed to do, she got taken care of, and you react differently when it's a friend or family member.

Give yourself a break!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

It wasn't a person, but when my dog slipped while jumping out of the tub and wouldn't put weight on her leg, all I did was stand there and bawl. My husband (who was a third year med student at the time) looked her over and then looked at me and said "oh my god, you are a NURSE!" I was helpless. Oh and a minute later Lucy just ran off and was completely fine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

I've been a nurse for a lot longer and I probably would have freaked too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

did you stand in place and scream? it doesnt appear so.....did it take you a second or two to react? normal.....it was you training kicking in and prioritizing your actions....it seems to me ya done good! lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Panic = quivering voice, nah - not in a millions years.

You did exactly what you were suppose to do, I saw no panic in the reactions you wrote about.

It's different when the injured person is someone you know. I've worked in EMS and have seen some terribly gruesome sights, but I've never reacted as nutty as I did when my little girl fell, smacked her head and was bleeding all over the place.

It's just different!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion