Nurseladyjester

I also was hired straight into a MICU/SICU in the hospital I had been working in for 6 years. I have been there for 5 years now. I can tell you from experience that it does get better! You will become more comfortable and confident in your skills. You will still learn everyday and you should be actively seeking opportunities to learn new things always as a nurse. Hang in there, it gets better!

I lost a patient on Friday that I had worked very hard to save, she was young, and I feel like I didn't have the support I needed to properly care for her. I could clearly see that she was heading in the wrong direction and we (charge RN and myself) repeatedly reached out for help. By the time help arrived it was too late, she coded a minute or two later. We didn't get her back. My heart is still breaking over it. I cried that day, in front of co-workers, with the family and many times alone with God since then. I think that if I didn't have the ability to show my humanness and my grief at losing this patient that I shouldn't be nursing any longer.

I think I would have to go with "Don't ask, Don't tell" also. I know that it would be difficult to care for him, but my essential job as a nurse is to provide safe medical care for every patient, every time. I care for inmates all the time in our local community hospital and I just don't ask, I try not to think about what they might have done because I know that if I knew they were a child molester, it WOULD color my care for them. My heart and mind goes out to those who are in a difficult situation right now and having to care for this boy who has carried out such a senseless act of terrorism. Praying for peace for all of those affected by this tragedy.