Lucid

My best friend is a relatively new RN. She has been working in the ICU since she graduated, and worked in the hospital while in nursing school. She recently had a patient who passed; it was a very difficult assignment for her emotionally. Very tragic, and hit close to home for a number of particular reasons. I know she is struggling with this. She is no stranger to emotionally difficult situations, but I can tell this has hit her harder than anything she's dealt with before. I'm trying my best to be supportive and just give a shoulder to cry on, but I'm just wondering what has helped you all, as nurses, when you've had a rough time dealing with the death of a patient, etc. I've worked in the medical field so I kind of have a jist as to what's going on, but I know what she's experiencing is different right now. I know she's also pretty anxious because there will be a trial, and there is quite some attention on the whole situation. I highly doubt she will be subpoenaed or involved in any way, but she is very nervous that she may have made a small error charting, etc. I'd like to help soothe her a bit on that front as well. Thanks!

Hello. Just wondering if any SANEs out there can give me a better idea of what the job is all about. I have done my research and know plenty of the basics, however all of this info does not actually capture what working as a SANE is all about. I want to know what surprised you about the job, what you love, what you hate? What challenges does this field face in general? How often are you subpoenaed? Do you work in the ED or another field as well, or just as a SANE? Who employs you? Etc etc. I am a college sophomore anticipating entrance into a BSN program summer 2010 and graduation in 2012. In addition to school full-time I work as an EMT, a medical assistant in an OB-GYN clinic (focus on family planning and contraception), and have recently been hired as a PACU pt. care tech. I also have fairly extensive experience volunteering with law enforcement through search and rescue and assisting with investigations. So essentially, I've become interested in eventually becoming a SANE through my brief but broad experience working in prehospital/emergency, OB-GYN, and LE/investigations. Also - what would you recommend I do to prepare myself? I've signed up to volunteer as a rape crisis hotline volunteer, and I'm waiting to hear back.

Hello! I recently applied for a position as a clinical med. technician in the PACU of a pediatric hospital and got an interview. Just wondering what kind of work I could find myself doing. I'm an EMT-B trained to do IVs and a pre-nursing major. I understand that I'll likely be monitoring vitals and post-operative pain, taking patients to their rooms, etc, etc but what else goes in the PACU? How often do complications arise? Are there any procedures that are performed on a regular basis? Any advice? Thanks ahead of time.