Yesterday in the morning I told the aides not to get a resident out of bed. He was failing and his sats were low. I put him on O2 via a face mask. We put him on comfort care.
His vitals were falliing all through my shift but his respirations were still steady and regular, albeit labored. I went in to change a bandage on his arm and his breathing was beginning to be Cheyne-Stokes. Shift change was approaching and I thought I should get moving but then thought, "He is DYING. This is more important than turning over the med cart." I sat with him and stroked his face and kissed him and said, "It's okay, R. You can go. You're not alone." He took his last breath. After two minutes without a respiration I removed the mask and turned off the O2. Got the steth and pronounced him. Then I cried.
Told the charge and she called the family. I heard her say, "He wasn't alone. A nurse was with him."
I STAYED WITH ONE OF MY PATIENTS THE OTHER WEEK. SHE WAS DYING ALONE BECAUSE HER FAMILY SAID THEY COULD NOT DEAL WITH IT. I STAYED WITH HER TILL SHE PASSED.I WILL NEVER FORGET. I ALSO REASSURED HER THAT SHE WAS NOT ALONE. i PRY MY FAMILY OE NO OTHER FAMILY FEELS THAT WAY.HOW CRUEL.
Reading your post brought tears to my eyes. It brings back the real meaning of being a nurse, why we wanted to be nurse to begin with. To have more time to spend with out patients. What a blessing that you were his nurse, and gave him the words he needed to hear, your not alone its ok... God Bless you.. It is times like this, or the holding an elderly ladies hand for 5-10 min, when she cant go to sleep, because she is afraid. Thank you ....
OrthoRN09
78 Posts
Thank you for being a nurse, Sue.