What is your kryptonite?

[ixchel]

So students, or nurses when you recall your student days.... What was the first thing you saw that really shocked you, maybe even made you cry?

I've seen a lot of stuff now, some of it sad and shocking. But never did I ever think seeing an 8-year old boy in handcuffs being brought in for psychiatric care would hit me as hard as it did. I had to look away the instant I saw him. I had a good cry over that. I'm still a bit in shock over the emotional response I had to it. The nurse who was precepting me, the police officers and the social workers I was with that day assured me that in time, stuff like that wont hit me so hard. It's sad to imagine that one could be exposed to things enough times that it no longer triggers an emotional response. I suppose you have to look at it as a gift of sorts, but looking at it from this side of my nursing career, that just makes me sad.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

There are many things you will see in nursing that school just can't prepare you for. I worked peds for years and had to deal with child abuse victims, dying children, juvenile delinquents, and even children who were raping other children. It is tough, but you take it one day at a time and remember that you are doing what you can to make a positive impact on that person's life, even if only for a short time.

Since you are still a student I hope you were able to talk about what you saw with your instructor

[ixchel]

There are many things you will see in nursing that school just can't prepare you for. I worked peds for years and had to deal with child abuse victims, dying children, juvenile delinquents, and even children who were raping other children. It is tough, but you take it one day at a time and remember that you are doing what you can to make a positive impact on that person's life, even if only for a short time.

Since you are still a student I hope you were able to talk about what you saw with your instructor

Not yet, actually, but the precepting nurse was so wonderful to me. She could tell I was surprised by my own reaction, she grabbed tissues and asked me if I needed to talk. And we talked ❤ She is so gifted at what she does - a natural in psych acute care. It's weird....you read about this stuff, you hear the stories, but they're stories. Black words on a white screen. A conversation at pre-conference. My heart and soul are in the world of babies and children, and I know crappy things happen. How different, indeed, when you see it.

You say you used to be in peds. Where are you now? Was it the tough stuff that made you leave?

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

You say you used to be in peds. Where are you now? Was it the tough stuff that made you leave?

I am now and ER nurse in a general (adult and peds) ER. I did not get burnt out from peds, and at one point had planned on being a peds nurse forever. However I had a peds position at a hospital that was less than safe so I cross trained to adults and I have no regrets. I did become emotionally attached to some of terminally ill kids, and while that was sad, it was a privilege to be there to support the pt and their families through the most difficult times of their life.

[ISeeYouNurse13]

Well I decided to be a CNA in LTC prior and during most of nursing school so that right there took a lot of the sunshine and roses concept out of nursing for me from the jump.

In all honesty I always knew I could never work pediatrics, OB, or even ER because I cannot handle seeing children that are hurt whether it be physically, mentally, what have you. I know for me no amount of desensitization could change that and I'm really thankful there are nurses out there who can, takes a very special heart.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

The sound of a sternum being broken open. First thing that made my jaw drop.