NurseSara0214

To be on the safe side, I would do what the above posters stated. Contact whoever is on your Infectious Disease team. It may have been nothing, but honestly in a case like that it's always smart to fill out an incident report and get checked out. Generally I think they would have you rinse your eyes out, and start you on a cocktail dose just in case. All facilities are different. Never feel like you can't speak up though. We are all human! :) Good luck.

Thank you Leslie. I think it'd be cold and undearing to at least give a sentiment to a family who has just lost their loved one. There were many emotions that day, and honestly, I was so happy to know that I was able to help a family out in their time of need and this persons last few days. Mostly this was an isolated incident that I was embarrassed about, and hopefully growing from it. Even the hospice MD who came into speak with the family today me that I handled everything with grace and did a wonderful job (usually hospice comes in at the very end but due to their other patients, I was the main person handling the situation). That MD also stated to me that I would be good in this field.. I appreciated that.

Actually, I think they do know me pretty well as I've worked with these people for over 2 years. It's not like I'm crying every minute of my shift each shift. This was an isolated incident in which I was very embarrassed. Yes, I may seek counseling to see how I can channel my feelings, but I think I've done the wrong thing by asking advice on an online forum. I probably should have gone directly to my coworkers instead. Thank you though.

From the get go I have told newer nurses that if they're offered a day position they better run with it! :)

What an awesome comment!! I had a similar post on "emotions" as a nurse.. though mine was a hospice patient, and it seems as though the nurses that replied weren't as understanding as you. As long as you can get the job done and attend to your patients throughout the rest of your shift, it sounds like you did fine! Great job on helping out! :)

Thank you! That's exactly how I feel! That they need me to help THEM.. I was so embarassed..not that it happens all of the time. I just cherish these times. Nobody realizes how special the hospice part of nursing is unless they're apart of it. It's a very intimate time where we can educate and support when the families need it most. This patient had been suffering for quite awhile and the family was never told that this person could heard them talk to them.. when I was able to tell them that you'd think that they were given a pot of gold.. they were so happy and they were able to feel comfortable saying their final goodbyes. That day was such a bittersweet day, because I honestly felt like they taught me something.

Thank you all for the feedback. I think counseling would be a good way for me to figure out how to balance my emotions in this situation. I actually enjoy my job, and we generally only have 1 or 2 hospice patients every few months. I've dealt with many hospice patients, and this is the first time I've dealt with this type of emotion. There was alot of happy and sad emotions at the time due to the background of that patient, music was playing and the family was celebrating. When the husband had become teary eyed, I did feel a sense of emotion for him and my eyes welled up with tears. I don't sob in front of clients/families, never would I do that. I just had tears that welled up, which was embarassing in itself. The gum chewing thing isn't something I do all of the time. I guess I should have stated, with the gum if I know there is a situation brewing where there may be heavy emotion, I am able to use the gum or breath mints to keep me from getting dry mouth. I'm not chomping in front of the families, yes I do know gum chewing isn't "professional".. and I would hope that I come across as professional to my residents/families. At this time of this situation.. I was able to be witnessed to by a strong christian family, and to me I felt very blessed.. I will take all of your feedbacks and hopefully learn from them.. thanks!

I currently work as an L.P.N, and have been a nurse for 3 years. I am currently attending school to become an R.N. I have always been an emotional person. Of course in front of patients I am able to be composed, generally if I'm frustrated I pray about it at the end of my shift, and of course if I question something, I always ask for advice. My goal is to become a hospice nurse. My teachers, employer, and fellow nurses have stated that they feel this is a great route for me because of my love for my patients, and knowledge of what hospice is really about. This week we had a patient pass who I had literally just met that day. Her story was so touching, and I did become teary eyed in front of the spouse. I was able to tell him though how she touched my life in just 4 hours of knowing her.. but when everything was all said and done, I felt as if I was not in the right for becoming tearful. I know that if I have a situation such as this approaching, that if I chew gum and remind myself to be professional, I am fine, but if someone catches me off guard, it just happens. I am always happy and that is one of the biggest compliments my patients give me, so of course the only "emotion" I am discouraged with is my tearfulness, of course in sad situations as the one stated above... is this normal? How do you deal with this if you are like this? My saying is.. if I stop crying or stop caring.. I'm done with this profession.. I love being a nurse.