Took care of a nurse today...

[Dad-2-3]

I'm an RN on orientation. I don't care to give away too many details but it was nerve wracking since this nurse works on my unit and I see her every shift that I work. She has been a nurse for more than a few years and I'm still the incompetent newbie on orientation. At the end of the shift she told me I did a great job handling the resident and she hardly felt the IV I started on the first try. It all started about 3pm. long story short, she required many interventions (2nd IV start, multiple EKG's, SL Nitro, NS IV bolus, Natrecore slowed and then DC'd. Morphine IVP, etc, etc, etc.) and multiple communications with a reluctant cross cover resident. With some prodding by me and more than a few interventions she is stable at shift's end and I gave report with a good feeling. I finally have begun connecting the dots for at least this one patient!!

I'm sure that on my next shift I will feel like a complete dumb orifice like usual, but I feel I was a patient advocate today and got the resident to act when he probably was willing to just wait it out. I sorta feel like a real nurse!!

[jessi1106, BSN, RN]

Excellent job! :)

I have been an RN for 10 months and it does start to get easier...but I am still learning each day.

Also, WOW! Your nurse/patient works on your unit? Not sure I would want to be a pt on my own unit...having my coworkers privy to my medical history etc...not that I have anything to hide really, it just seems weird I guess. On the other hand, maybe better to have your friends take care of you.

Anyhow, keep up the good work!

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

Good job! I have also had the privilege of caring for nurses who were gracious enough to be patients and mentors at the same time--though none I actually work with on a daily basis. Sure puts the lie to that old "nurses eat their young" chestnut, doesn't it?

There's no doubt about it: there are people in this profession who make you proud to call yourself a nurse. Thanks for looking after one of 'em.

[al7139, ASN, RN]

I have had to care for nurses I work with since I got my RN 10 months ago...Guess what? they are people too! No reason to feel overwhelmed. I tell family who are in the field that I am new, and they are really great and understanding, just like the nurses I have cared for. You would be surprised what you learn from them. Like them, I have been on the patient end as well as the caregiver end, so I can relate to the anxiety, etc. these people feel. Most of the time I get compliments, not complaints, because I am honest about my "inexperience" and can joke about it. If I have a problem with a MD, I just remember that I know the pt better in most cases, and I would not be calling them at 0200 if it were not important.

It's your patient, regardless if they are a coworker, a doctor's mother, or the local crack addict. You are their advocate, and caregiver.