i wish..

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Specializes in Intellectual Disability Nursing.

I wish that with your first code, the person lived.Had my first code Tuesday evening. Im still shook.

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Specializes in Med-Surg; Telemetry; School Nurse pk-8.

(((HUGS)))

We do what we can. We learn from every experience, we compartmentalize the work stuff as best we can, and we move forward. It's never easy, but our ability to cope is strengthened each day. Nursing is hard work. Don't forget to take care of you. You need to care for your own mental and physical health to be able to care for others. Even when the final outcome is not as you'd have wished, remember that you do make a difference. Peace out.

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Specializes in cardiology/oncology/MICU.

It is an exciting and stressful time during the code. Many nurses like myself enjoy the chance to help someone at such a volatile time, and others do not. It always makes me sad if the patient does not survive. The times they do however are wonderful. Please don't bear the burden of the outcome on your own shoulders. Code TEAM not person. Good luck

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Yeah codes that don't make it suck, especially when young. (((hugs)))

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I agree with PP's. Although some of our colleagues may 'enjoy' the adrenaline rush associated with clinical emergencies, I think that the unanticipated death of a patient is always stressful and can be traumatic, no matter how well the resuscitation effort is conducted. As an 'old timer' with eons of critical care experience, I also believe that one of the hallmarks of a supportive work environment is the level of support offered to the employees. Lack of support produces a cumulative effect that can result in PTSD for caregivers.

Responsible and caring organizations should conduct a 'critical event' debriefing after any resuscitation. This is the time for not only examining the events that transpired (and how well protocols were followed) but also making sure that everyone has an opportunity to examine their own reactions/feelings in a 'safe place'. This also fosters professional growth among the people who are involved.

Since it appears that the OP is a fairly new nurse, it may not be possible in his/her case, but I would encourage others to work within their own organizations to work toward establishing a routine post-code process that will provide support and learning opportunities for participants.

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Specializes in ICU.

Just remember- the pt is already *not living* when they code...I'm sorry though, it is tough, esp if you have become close with the pt and/or family. Hugs.PS I think this helps me: where I am, we don't say that a coded pt "lived," but that they "came back." More often than not though we can't get them back. It's just the nature of what it is, unfortunately.Again, hugs!

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I've never performed chest compressions on someone who had survived. And I've performed my share of chest compressions. So many people's bodies are just completely done. There isn't anything to do for them.

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Specializes in Intellectual Disability Nursing.

Thanks for all of your support. I work in a ICF/ID facility and have gotten close with the residents I work with. Although the nurses help out at all the homes on campus, we are assigned to be the nurse at a specific house (to do more of the indepth charting etc). This guy lived at the house I am assigned too (i spend most of my time here). He was only 24. He has been in and out of the hospital with pneumonia 3 or 4 times since August. When o2 was low, I gave the albuterol then Duo neb after the albuterol didnt get it to increase enough. Right after duo neb was given o2 read 87%. I have been told that it does sometime take a few minutes for the o2 to increase after a neb. I left the room after this thinking sats were stable (I had been in his room for quite awhile and had other things also going on). I came back within a few short minutes and he was gone.

I feel horrible I left the room. But in all honesty, there probably wasnt anything I could have done differently if i was in there. He was stable when I left. He was smiling. Resp rate was a bit fast. But i had figured that was from the 2 nebs I just gave him.

Doctor said it looked like cardiac arrest. I was all over the A&B, didnt even think about C. With the past medical history and the O2 being the only symptom, i didnt even think about heart issue.

It hurts alot, I am tending to blame in on myself even though I shouldnt. But also, if you would have known the guy. HE IS IN SUCH A BETTER PLACE-eating all the cookies he wants :)

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Specializes in ICU.

ICF/ID?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Sweetie, you poor thing.

My Dad often says if you sit & wish for everything, you will wish your life away.

That person came to the end of their life. And codes are not pretty, they are horrid, complicated things.

Try to do things that calm you, like yoga or pilates, write a big journal (even if it's only about this one event). That helps me a lot. Go for long walks in the cool of the evening (not late at night), to chase the cobwebs from your brain.

This too shall pass.

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