We lost one of our own this morning

[LPN_mn]

I am so sad and this is the first place I knew I could turn. I knew that if anyone could understand how I feel it would be my fellow nurses. One of the nurses that I work with was killed in a car accident this morning while on her way to work. There are so many emotions running through me right now that I don't know how to explain how I feel. We are not sure how the accident occured and I guess it doesn't matter because it will not bring her back and it will not help the way I feel. We do know that it was raining and somehow she lost control of her car on the interstate and was broad sided by another vehicle. She died instantly so we are comforted that she did not suffer. I just don't know what to do now. It was a very hard day but we knew that we had to go on and take care of the patients in the manner that she would have done. Please say a prayer for us during this time that we will somehow make it through the next few days.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I'm very sorry.

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

I too am very sorry to hear about the loss of your coworker. If you're workplace is anything like mine then it feels more like you've lost a member of the family.

All my best to you, your coworkers, and the family .

vamedic4

[NurseSDP]

So sorry to hear of the loss of your coworker. In my thoughts and prayers....

[OR2ER, BSN, RN]

so sorry for your loss..i feel sad:( ...

[Midwest4me]

My thoughts and prayers are with you too. May God comfort you all during this time. Co-workers can indeed be like family; my husband's supervising RN/friend just died in a car accident last Friday do we sure sympathize. Our hugs go out to you!

[LoriAlabamaRN]

I've suffered this loss as well, and I well remember the pain. I'm praying for you, your friend's family and the fellow coworkers, it is going to take time for things to feel alright again... but they will, and you will never forget her. Has there been thought about putting up some sort of "in memory" plaque? That's what we did...

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

That is so very sad. My condolences to her family, to you, and your coworkers. All those I worked with were my second family .

[KidsRNstill]

So Sorry for your loss--I'm thinking of you and your coworkers and this nurse's family. It's like the loss of a family member, isn't it? Many hugs--

KidsRn:icon_hug: :icon_hug:

[loridoo]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend's family. God Bless

[Faeriewand, ASN, RN]

Sorry to hear about your loss. (((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))

[LydiaNN]

The year before I got my job, a staff member and her two sons were killed in a car accident. Our boss contacted our Employee Assistance Program and brought in a therapist who provided group counseling. Anyone who wanted it was also encouraged to go to individual sessions, but the people who were there said the group sessions were really helpful in processing the loss, too. Maybe you could suggest this to your boss.

[prmenrs, RN]

How sad! And what a shock for all of you. I strongly agree w/Mercyteapot about having Employee Assistance provide you and the other staff members w/counseling.

In our line of work, we tend to get all professional, we can't shut down and deal w/it, we have to get out there and NURSE!!, and so we don't take the time we need to deal w/the shock and sadness we do feel. Having EAP will help take care of the carers.

Yesterday afternoon, a DMV driver tester was killed when another car rear-ended the car in which he was administering the test. It was apparently the other driver's fault. The DMV actually closed down immediately and brought in counselors to help the co-workers cope.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20060712-9999-7m12briefs.html

If only we had that luxury!