Our unit needs your good vibes...

Specialties NICU

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We've lost 2 precious angels recently, including one that I was attached too pretty strongly...and we have a gaggle remaining that are circling the drain. It's been a rough 4-5 days around my unit.

As always, the post-mortem care/bath reminded me of the special nature of what we do. Not just anyone can bathe that precious dead baby. Or unhook that ET Tube and turn off that ventilator. It's an honor to be allowed to do it...to pay that last little bit of respect for that sweet angel.

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

I sincerely admire what you do, Bortaz. I could not do what you do. You have strength, compassion, and are deeply respectful.

I remember my 1st baby, as a new nurse; lost her the night before a scheduled elective C-section. Still to this day I have vivid memories of caring for her postmortem.

The pain of loss cannot be over emphasized when dealing with these precious souls.

Time ...... time dealing with things like this ...... time is your worst enemy and then one day ...... it becomes your best friend.

May time become your friend, Bortaz.

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alyn918: it's nurses like you that make me question the profession. Show some respect, you clearly don't understand.

Bortaz, I think you are amazing. Hang in there. I know how defeating it can be to lose one, but then to have to battle for another one, worrying that you'll have to go through it again, I just can't imagine. Like others have said, try to find someone you can get through it with and blow off some steam. Sending healing vibes.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Thank you.

P.S. There are many of us who have used the terms "circling the drain" and even "FLK". That does not make us less passionate about our work, or less concerned or compassionate about our pts. Those of you who do not understand the need for coping techniques are obviously more highly evolved than the rest of us. Good for you.

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alyn918: jeeze! he is using nursing language on a nursing site! do you really believe in your heart that he's using these terms to the families.. entirely too literal and judgemental... Bortaz: condolences to you and their families... I cant imagine that kind of heartache... :(

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
We've lost 2 precious angels recently, including one that I was attached too pretty strongly...and we have a gaggle remaining that are circling the drain. It's been a rough 4-5 days around my unit.

As always, the post-mortem care/bath reminded me of the special nature of what we do. Not just anyone can bathe that precious dead baby. Or unhook that ET Tube and turn off that ventilator. It's an honor to be allowed to do it...to pay that last little bit of respect for that sweet angel.

Oh, mercy.......Bortaz, I am so sorry you're going through this. I honestly don't know how you can have your heart torn out like that and keep working, let alone do your job with such skill and grace. But I admire you for it because like you said, not just anyone can do this work. I know I never could.

You are in my prayers tonight. May the support you find here bring you some measure of peace.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Bortaz, my friend, I am SO sorry! That is such a hard time to have to work thru. Sending u hugs - I hope it gets better soon. It's hard to lose an ICU patient after bonding with pt and their family, and so much harder when it's a tiny preemie.

Sending u good positive thoughts!

Anne

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
Bortaz: I am new to this blog and don't know you, but i have been a nurse for several years and I think that the descriptive words you use in reference to the neonatal intensive care patients are appaling. While in a break room, or at home, you may say something referring to a child's condition, "circling the drain" is something that would be unforgivable if I were the mom or dad of one of your patients. I totally get the need to de-stress, not take too seriously some patients to avoid burnout, etc. I think you need to remember that you are a college educated professional. A "gaggle" "circling the drain" would be cause for dismissal if I was your director, no matter where you said it or who you said it too. You need to re-think why you do what you do. Frankly, it sounds like a 'show off' comment due to the nature of your patients. Human beings with tiny organs, and tiny fingers are babies struggling to live, not a "gaggle" of anything. Shame on you.

Hi - I know I haven't met u on AN yet, but as far as your comments about Bortaz - he is quite the opposite. Kind of out of line, not to sound ugly. Bortaz has such compassion for his patients and their families. He is one to go the extra mile and do anything he can to ease the parents distress when they are possibly losing a baby in the unit. I've been a nurse for more than 20 years, and I can count the number of nurses I've worked with that has his kind of true compassion on my hands -

Some times on the forums here at AN we do vent and share experiences whether they be positive or negative - and the way we sometimes discuss things here is NOT what we would say in front of or to a patient or their family member. Bortaz is FAR from appaling. He isn't the "show off" kind of nurse - if I had a family member at his hospital I would be proud to have him caring for them. He DOES understand that his patients are human beings and those of us that have read any of his posts ANYTIME know that for a fact that he cares for his patients as though they are his family.

Please try to read a little more before you just go off judging someone for what you think of is unprofessional or unacceptable in your eyes. No shame belongs on him, he's not he's not judging someone he knows nothing about. JMO.

Bortaz, sending u hugs, my friend.

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Thank you for the kind words, Anne.

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Take heart Bortaz. Please be comforted in knowing that a lot of people who know you and a bunch who don't know you, thank God for you. You are a special person and we support you 100%.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Wow you sound like the true definition of what nursing is suppose to be. We also have special angles in the long term care side. Especially those angels who leave and have no living family. We (nurses) in the nursing home perform post morten care on our precious residents it is our way coping with the loss of a precious life and say good bye to our family member. It is most difficult on our floor when we loss several residents within a week. Especially with our high hospice census at times. Your comments make us all proud to be a member of the most wonderful profession in the world - NURSING. Thank you for your post. May God Bless you

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What compassion and strength you have. I know those precious angels had their arms wrapped around to give you the strength you needed at that time. I admire you for what you do!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I'll admit that I'm not strong enough to work with children--things get to me too easily. So I have tremendous respect for those who are able to take care of them.

I hope that things get better for you, your little scamps and their families...and that whatever happens will be for the best.

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