Our unit needs your good vibes...

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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 OB.

Sending prayers your way. I hope things start to look up for your unit.

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Specializes in NICU.

Bortaz, RN: I have never posted here, but I'm an avid reader of AN, and have seen numerous posts you have made, in order to encourage or help someone. A similar situation happened to our unit about a month ago. It's just something about the NICU world, everyone is a true team. You laugh, question, clean, and nurse together. And when those losses come, you can feel it, as well as see it in the eyes of every staff member in the unit. Sending some prayers/ good ju-ju for your unit!

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Welcome to AN, and thanks!

Bortaz, RN: I have never posted here, but I'm an avid reader of AN, and have seen numerous posts you have made, in order to encourage or help someone. A similar situation happened to our unit about a month ago. It's just something about the NICU world, everyone is a true team. You laugh, question, clean, and nurse together. And when those losses come, you can feel it, as well as see it in the eyes of every staff member in the unit. Sending some prayers/ good ju-ju for your unit!
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Specializes in NICU.

Wow, just wow. I can't believe alyn918's comment. Poor Bortaz comes here with his heart on his sleeve, and that's the response he gets? We all have nick names for conditions, meds, situations. Sometimes it is just tedious to say the whole word (epinephrine- we shorten to epi). How else would you describe a "circling the drain," patient? Critical? Doesn't really cut it, because most of our kids are critical, because it is an ICU, but it doesn't really explain what Bortaz is trying to get at.

Apparently alyn918 has never said anything about a patient that he wouldn't say to their face. I guess we should all be fired if we have ever used a term like "frequent flier" or "walkie talkie." Let's also add in anyone who has ever called a patient a LOL, because it is just rude to call someone old! I think alyn918 needs a couple more years of "real" nursing and to get over the student complex.

Thanks Bortaz for your post. I will keep you and your unit in my thoughts and prayers. I am on the bereavement committee at my hospital, so I understand when you say what an honor it is to continue to care for them after they die. It is a job that makes me happy I can do, because even if we cannot save them, we can still treat them with dignity and provide comfort to their families, who it means so much to. Keep up the good work, Bortaz!

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Specializes in NICU.

By the way, I am not trying to offend new nurses. Not all nurses come into the job with the "student complex." There are just a handful that come in thinking that since they passed their boards, they now know everything there is to know about nursing.They want to teach all the "old" nurses the error of their ways and show them the "right" way to do it. I realize there are many new nurses that come in eager to learn and are respectful to those who have been doing the job for longer.

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Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

You were born for nursing. What a precious article you wrote.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.
You were born for nursing. What a precious article you wrote.

Thanks, Fran!

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

I cannot imagine how hard it is for Neonatal nurses to do what you do! I had never ever let it pass through my mind until now, all my respect goes towards you and your fellow co-workers who are indeed very special people

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Boratz, so sorry for your hard days in your unit. I am a new NICU nurse and I come here all the time to partake of the wisdom of you and others on this forum.

If people were going to be fired for using terminology that is viewed as flippant by those on the outside, there would be no medical professionals left.

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Just checking in, hoping you and the unit are weathering the passing of days, the ebb and flow of good and not-so-good moments.

((((((((((((( Bortaz ))))))))))))))))))))

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Thanks, Dianah. Things had gotten better, but I had in the back of my mind the old saw about how it comes in 3s. Today, #3 hit us. RIP little boy.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Oh no - I am so sorry to hear that. Hoping that the little boy yall lost today will be the last for a little while. I know it's the nature of the job caring for the sickest wee babies, but u guys definetly need a break from it. I know that I would not be able to do what u do for those babies and parents day in and day out.

Hugs!

Anne, RNC

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