fancysocks

As much as I love my job, and I really do, I have never in my several years there seen a debriefing. There does seem to be a culture of being tough and un-emotional amongst the nurses. I am pretty tough but if a situation like this didn't bother me I might worry about myself! The nurses involved responded to my call for a rapid response and therefore are not my usual coworkers (from other units). They are not touchy-feely nurses and I know they wont want to discuss it. If this lasts I can take advantage of free counseling outside of my place of work, just hoping to find some other healthy ways to let sad things at work go when I come home. I can see my husband looking at me and wishing he could help, I just feel bad that it is now affecting him as well. Mostly just in the off position of feeling like my life is charmed and full of blessings yet at the same time feeling life in general is cruel and almost pointless. (I really know it isn't but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the sadness at the moment)

I too, 99% of the time feel relief and am glad when patients pass because I know they are no longer suffering. I had been this patients nurse for 3 nights and had spent a lot of time talking with them. they told me alot about their family, I just really enjoyed caring for them. It was just that this happened so suddenly, and so rapidly. They were alert and oriented and suddenly this happened. I obviously can't give out details but it was the worst way I have ever seen a patient go. I guess it just feels so much sadder because they were doing well and ready to go home and there was no warning, no last moments with loved ones. It just seemed a cruel way to go. thanks for the comments, it does help to hear from other nurses.

Hi, I have lurked here for about 8 years, finally signed up because I need to hear from other nurses. A patient of mine recently died, it was sudden, without warning, and unpredictable. It had nothing to do with the admitting diagnosis. I have seen many sad patient outcomes, it happens, I deal with it ok usually. This one for some reason, is just dragging me down. I didn't sleep for 2 days after, I have been crying a lot and I feel so lost and depressed. I am trying to find ways to cope with this in a healthy way and am trying to get myself out of this funk. I am feeling at the moment like life is impossibly cruel. I want to say that I have a wonderful supportive husband and awesome kids. Great friends and family and I absolutely love my job. How do you survive the sad parts?