scared of being in a code

Italia13 RN · Dec 12, 2008

The first time I did CPR on a real human was my last rotation in nursing school. They just threw me in with the rotation. I thought I was going to mess up because I have never done them before but when the time comes you get in like a CODE MODE and you just do it. The first time I think I was hyperventilating because I was breathing as fast as I was doing compressions. I was on a natural high for 3 days!! after the first one you do everyone after it is a piece of cake!

Eirene, ASN, RN · Dec 12, 2008

I have broken a rib doing compressions. It is an awful, horrible feeling and sound when it happens. He was a big guy, too.

I hate to say it, but you really do get used to it. As a nurse, you get this "instinct." When I have this, I usually break out the atropine/nonrebreather/whatever the situation could possibly call for and call RRT if the condition gets worse from baseline. 99% of the time they get transferred to the unit before the code happens.

I still want to vomit after the code, though. I get all shakey. I hope that feeling goes away after my first year.

casperx875x · Dec 15, 2008

I myself am anxious for my first code. I've seen a few in progress, but have never actually been in on the action. Most of the time, the residents take over with compressions, respiratory already has the airway covered and the nurses are all drawing up drugs, recording, running for additional supplies, etc.

One of my preceptors told me something that I will never, ever forget. She told me to always take care of my patients first and then help where I can, unless someone else's patient is coding. It sounds like common sense, but I've been on other floors where the nurses run the opposite direction when a code is called. On my floor, we all drop everything we are doing to help in a code situation.

So while I am scared, I know that I will always have the support of my coworkers if one of my patients is ever the patient that is coding.

texas2007, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2008

I work in the nicu so it may be a little different...In my experience, if it's a code where the patient is trying to die, the patient is already headed south and the MD's and other experienced nurses are already in the general vicinity, ready to spring into action. If it's like an extubation or aspiration code, just press the code button, yell for help and suction/bag until help arrives.

In my first code, my mind went blank. It was like 'I can't believe this is happening. My First Code. OMG.' I started out as the recorder and my preceptor yelled at me to come switch with her to do chest compressions. I watched how she was doing compressions as I had forgotten, nearly crapped my pants, and then switched and just went with it. When someone's life is on the line, you really don't have much time to think about how nervous you are.

PICURN74, ASN, RN · Dec 15, 2008

FutureNICU-

You are suppose to be scared of codes they are one of the few things that are literally a matter of life or death. You will learn to use the fear and it does decrease but they day that a dying kid ( I work in PICU) doesn't scare me a little is the day I will hang up my stethoscope. During a code I am usually fairly calm and then afterwards is when I notice my heartbeat in my throat and how fast I am breathing. I have broken many ribs and those that have survived haven't held it against me.

bigheart08 · Dec 16, 2008

One of the more experienced nurses helped me to deal more calmly with a code situation. She said that when a code is called, the person is dead the only thing you can do in a code is bring them back to life. That made all the diffence to know that I was helping.

britgirl37 · Dec 16, 2008

I was lucky enough to have my first code experience when I was a student (in UK), my assessor for that shift was the Unit Manager. She had me jumping in and doing compressions ( yes I was Very Scared!!). My first compression broke the guys ribs ( I felt several of them cracking) I felt awful but still told her what I'd done right in the middle of the code. I've never forgotten what she told me..." don't worry about it, thats the least of his problems".

Nine years later I still think about that during codes, lets face it, as a previous poster has said, if there's a code then the person is dead (or almost dead) already, what can you possibly do to make that any worse?

Julie_RN2b · Jan 26, 2009

I have never even witnessed a code...I hope that I will be able to stay calm and remember what to do when the situation arises

TangoLima · Jan 26, 2009

Somehow I made it through nursing school and 7 months on the Telemetry floor without being in a full code situation. The closest I've seen to a code is the RRT being called, but just bagging the patient while he was being transferred to ICU. I too am extremely nervous about knowing what to do in a real code situation. I do know that my fellow nurses are great and will rush to my side if needed, and the RRT will be on the scene promptly. The comments here have helped as well.

ohjoyy · Jan 27, 2009

last night during my shift. i almost had to experience a full code. the pt started coding. and since i work in agency, i'm the only LPN at this house. if it wasn't for the mom being there & talking me through, i dont know what i wouldve done. granted, the mom said i did good for it being my first time. but OMG!

queenjean · Jan 27, 2009

My perspective from being a nurse on the medical floor.

Number one thought--compressions. Start compressions if there is no pulse. Don't dink with clearing the room, grabbing the crash cart, anything else--just start the compressions. Call for someone to call the code (holler or push the code button on the wall) and start compresssions. The code team comes and takes care of everything else.

If you are not the one at the bedside doing the compressions and are not part of the code team--get the crash cart. Clear the room. Bring the pt's chart/a computer so that the code team has access to all the pt's info. Make sure one person stays near the room to run for supplies. Make sure that you are covering the pts of the nurses who are involved in the code. If you are the primary nurse for the pt who is coding--STAY IN THE ROOM. Send someone else to run for info, run for the chart, whatever. The code team needs you there to answer questions.

The first two codes I was in as a nurse, I was lost. Now probably 5 codes and many rapid response calls later, I can honestly say that I don't think twice about it. I focus on getting the compressions going, getting the code called, and compressions, compressions, compressions until the code team gets there. Now, as an experienced nurse, after the code is going on for a bit, if I'm the one doing compressions, I try to switch off with a new nurse who has never been in a code before. Compressions are so easy, and while you are doing them, you get to see everything else that is going on. You learn a lot.

Experienced nurses--get those newbies in to do compressions! Newbies--offer do to compressions. Don't be scared. Once you do them once, you won't ever fear doing them again. You won't be nearly as terrified of codes. Don't ever disrespect codes, or treat them as a casual event--that's not good. But you don't need to fear them, either. The person is already dead. You just might get to save them--pretty cool, huh? Not everyone gets to have that possibility every time they go to work.