Never would I have thought as a nurse having PTSD until you experience that one patient or event you will never forget. Mine happened three years ago. Totally thought I had caused the demise of my patient. Did I also mention I have severe anxiety?
It seemed everywhere I turned at the time, my nurse manager, my director, the medical director, no one would hear me (they listened) but would say, “it’s nothing you did”. I didn’t really get the closure and talking or debriefing. It was six rough months of me reliving every moment of that event. Every now and then it will pop in my mind. I find myself at times still going into a brief panic, asking “did I do this”, “was I sure it was the right med” (lord knows half the meds don’t scan anyway) “did I check this”. Am I the only one this happens to? Everyone has said it is because you care so much that it is hard to just release. Tell me your stories!!
