The right place at the right time?

[NurseyTonyaLPN]

I'm an agency nurse and last night I went to a facility I had been scheduled for for about 2-3 weeks. I just worked there the other day and was told I was scheduled for a few shifts this week b/c a girl from 11-7 was on vacation this week. Obviously another staff member had picked up this shift and the one doing the scheduling forgot to call the agency and cancel me. It happens, although not incredibly often (This is the second time with this agency in about 4 months of working there). So I look at the positive, I'm really tired tonight and can go home and get some sleep. On my way home I spot an accident that had just happened within a few minutes of my passing that spot. I pull over. A truck driver had pulled over right ahead of me. I get to the van that was crashed, and the truck driver had 911 on the line already, so I went to the people in the van to see if anyone was hurt. There was a mother, father, and four small children (maybe about 3-8 y/o). The mother (driver) was trapped in the van b/c her door was smashed but she said she was ok, just some superficial cuts to her face with glass. The father had gotten out of the van with the kids and was sitting on the guardrail with them. The oldest boy was crying badly, saying his stomach hurt so bad he couldn't stand it. The father had him laying across his lap b/c the boy said he wanted to lay down. Another boy was complaining of a stomach ache too, but was standing up and didn't seem hurt as bad. The little girl who looked about 4 had abrasions and bruising on her neck (maybe the seatbelt was up a little high?) and was mostly very upset. I stayed beside the man holding the little boy. I held the little girl and comforted her. The boy laying across dad's lap was saying he needed to go to the doctor. I told him the ambulance was on its way to take him to the hospital, but I was a nurse and I was going to stay him until the ambulance got there. I think it made him (and especially the father) feel better. I didn't feel like I could really do anything, I've never worked in an ER or anything, but I just kept a close eye on them and knew that I could initiate CPR until the ambulance got there if needed. I just comforted and talked to the people until the ambulance got there, and informed them of the ones that were injured the worst. The father thanked me for the help when I left and the kids were being loaded onto the ambulance. I told him I hoped everyone would be okay. I felt good that I was able to help, and headed on home. As I left, I thought maybe I was in the right place at the right time. My shift was cancelled but my nursing (and caring) skills got used right where they were supposed to be used that night. Maybe that's what I was meant to do that night. Say a prayer for those kids (if you believe in prayer, and want to, that is).

Proud to be a nurse, Tonya:)

[labcat01, BSN, RN]

That is so sweet. I love stories like that! I hope the kids are all ok.

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

GOOD JOB! Always remember...in most cases just remember your ABC's...airway, breathing and Circulation. That will help a great deal for stabilizing a pt for the paramedics. It looks like you assessed for that, and kept the pts calm and comforted..way to go!

Be very proud of yourself! You did wonderfully!!!!!!!

As far as agency goes...holly cow I have been cancled too many times in a two month period that I will have to look for full time work to pay my bills...I hate cancelations! GRRRRRR! LOL!

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

I think things happen for a reason.

The only accident I ever asst in was a college girl that had a seizure in the left turn lane of an intersection. Once seized, her car started rolling forward (fortunately cross traffic locked up their brakes) until it ever so gently 'smacked' the car trying to make the opposite left hand turn.

All I did was check on her ABCs while post-ictal and reassure a hysterical young lady once she came around about what had happened until an ambulance got there.

Apparently she had had seizures before, but not in 4 yrs (and not one as either an adult out on her own OR since she became a driver). Scary, I'm sure.

But of course you were there for a reason. Thanks for being there.

~faith,

Timothy.

[prmenrs, RN]

What a great story! You did a terrific job.