Saving lives as part of the job

[anon456, BSN, RN]

I have played a role in saving the lives of patients since being an RN. Usually it's bagging our little NICU t/v babies who are getting reading go home. Not unexpected for these kids. Or recognizing early signs of something going down and calling the MD. But lately on my unit we've been getting sicker kids (PICU stepdown). Not sure why, or what's going on in our community. But in the last two months I have played a direct and active role in saving the lives of three children who declined quickly and unexpectedly and required emergency RN intervention at bedside until the MD's came and started advanced treatments (usually intubation). And when I'm at work I'm patting myself on the back for being there at the right place and time, being able to help the RN who had called for my help, and calling out orders to co-workers to get things or call people. And remaining at bedside doing my interventions (bagging, etc).

It's just amazing to me-- a person who formally had a desk job, and then was a stay at home mom for many years-- to be able to come home at the end of the day and know that I have literally saved the lives of children. And I do it as part of my job. I thank God that I have the training, equipment, experience, and co-workers around so that we do this.

Sometimes I complain about my job. Nursing is not easy at all. We feel overworked, tired, taken advantage of by the patients and families. Sometimes I drive home and I know it's going to take some mental pampering to get to the point where I can drive back in for another hard day. And some days I wonder why I didn't go back to my desk job. A couple days ago at the bank, I had to give the banker my employment information. He found out I'm a nurse. He stopped typing and he looked me in the eye and said, "Thank you for what you do." And he proceeded to tell me a personal story about an illness he suffered and how the nurses (he did not mention doctors) made it bearable for him.

And then my husband comes home from work and I ask him about his day and he tells me he had a productive meeting and how has to prepare a report. My kids tell me they had a good day at school. And then then they ask how my day is and I tell them, "I saved a child's life last night." Who can beat that? What an honor it is to be a healer. I need to remember that when I'm having a run of hard days, and tuck those highlights away to get me through those tough, thankless shifts.

Pat yourselves on the backs, my fellow nurses. You ARE making a difference.