Thinking of burn nursing........

To help patients deal with pain we give them lots of drugs, mostly narcotics. Generally, we see (10-20) oxycodone q4h, dilaudid for break through pain and fentanyl for dressing changes. On top of that, I talk to them, acknowledge their pain, help them with breathing techniques and go as quickly as possible; I say often, "I'm sorry to cause you more pain. I understand this is terrible, but this is going to make it easier for you later." I'm a new nurse who went right into a Burn ICU and I'm still coming to terms with having to cause patients pain; and we cause a lot of pain. Pain is unavoidable when recovering from a burn. I must scrub the dead skin off, I must move them to change the bed and change dressings or just for extra PT- all of this painful, not to mention the other stuff... constipation, multiple tubes/IVs that restrict movement, utter lack of privacy and independence. I dream of terrible things (one way I deal with things) and I talk to people. I have to deal with what I see and smell (horrible injuries, some of which were accidents, some done to themselves, some done by "loved ones"), I have to deal with my own fear of incompetence (being so new), I have to deal with the fact that some people won't make it. And, like you said, I have to deal with causing them pain. I just try to remember the fact that despite the pain, I am helping them and they'll be worse off if I don't do it.

hdigh: YOu sound like an awesome nurse.... Keep up the good work.. Before you know it you will be a pro @ burn nursing.... What made you decide to do burn nursing?? How long was orientation.... To the OP... good luck to you!!!! Also check out the other burn ICU sight @ allnurses... Take care..

Wow - hdigh, you really summed it up nicely!! I totally agree - Being a burn nurse can be hard, but I can't see myself doing anything else right now... Lots of pain meds, lots of pt. education regarding what's going to happen can make the situation better for both the nurse and the patient. Anticipated guidance i believe is the exact word.