Student in need of help-paper about the psychological effetcs of burn unit nurses

[Ksuprenursingjess]

Hi my name is Jess and I have been accepted to the Kent State University nursing school. I'm new at this site and I need some help with my senior research paper. I have decided to write my paper on the psychological effects on the nurses working in the burn unit. I was wondering if anyone could help with some positive and negative effects. I'm sorry if I'm doing this all wrong...I'm a little nervous. Thank you so much for anyone that can help me.

[shandsburnRN-CRNA]

Very rewarding, challenging and very sad at the same time. Burn patients are the bravest patients I have ever seen. It can be very tiring, hot, stressful, physical and draining. We very often have the sickest patients in the hospital and deal with numerous infusions for pain, sedation, vasoactives, paralytics, plasma expanders, CVVHD, ventilators, warming and cooling devices. In addition to dressing changes that can be 2 hours or longer.

We "step-down" our own patients, so we care for them from admission to discharge. We care for the very young and the very old, the mildest burns, to the most devestating of burn injuries.

The best thing for you to do would be to shadow some burn nurses for several shifts so that you can get the full effect of what is to be a burn nurse. It is unlike any other unit you will ever visit.

Good luck in school.

[mint_julep7]

for me the most difficult is the seeing a pt get so far and then crash. you work so long and so hard with your burn patients, and then you just know they are going to pull through, and sometimes they just don't.

there are times too that i think we have had burn patients that need to pass on. i know that can be a touchy subject... so i won't elaborate, but maybe a new thread?

for me i balance the good with the bad. when someone comes in and they have a minor burn from bbqing with gasoline it tickles me, and off sets the girl that was stuffed in the trunk by her boyfriend who lit the car on fire. (she lived btw, and looks great..).

the first time i had to pull someone's fingernails off it was a wake up call for me.

but i still loved my job.

it never bothers me at work, but i would say that it does come out in my dreams sometimes.... and well... i could say a couple of other things, but all the sudden i am a bit shy.

i am not working burns right now because of a job relocation, but i miss it. i didn't take a burn job because of a drive, and everyday i wake up and miss my "burn job". so i am looking for one now. the reason i say that is that dispite all the ups and downs and physical and mental stress burns can give you, i love it the same. certain things are just born into your heart sometimes.