I realize that this thread subject has probably been done but it can never be OVERdone, right?
Post the moments in nursing that warmed your heart, made you burst with pride, made your tears well up, took your breath away and filled you with an utterly complete conviction that you did the right thing by becoming a nurse.
Mine:
My first shift as a student vocational nurse in a hospital. When I told the charge nurse who I was assigned to, she had THE LOOK. Like, OH... You have THAT patient. Uh oh. The reaction was not unfounded. This lady was very noncompliant, combative, was addicted to various drugs and was generally nasty to everyone. The first thing she asked me was when she can get more pain meds. Her pain meds were not due for a hour. I offered to give her a back rub instead.
I always thought my teachers were dinosaurs for requiring us to complete a back massage with AM baths and PM care. I did it out of requirement. After I lotioned her up and dutifully rubbed her back, she turned me to with tears in her eyes and told me no one has touched her like that since she was four years old.
RN came in with her pain meds. It was time for my class to leave the floor. Patient said "I will trade all my pills if (my name) can stay."
One of the moments that sealed the deal for me. :redbeathe
I admitted a patient who had just delivered (along with her newborn) one day... spent a lot of time with her doing routine admission stuff, then assisted her with breastfeeding and we finally got the baby to latch after 30 minutes of trying. I got her back again two days later, and as soon as I walked into the room, she said, "Oh, thank God, I'm so happy that you're back!"
Another patient and her family thanked us for saving her life (actually said those words to the physician), and sent a bunch of food to the floor along with a nice card. She deteriorated on us very quickly a few times after delivery... I actually left work a few times very anxious because I wasn't sure if she'd make it. She was in the hospital for a while... I liked her, but was glad to see her finally go home.
Calabria, BSN, RN
118 Posts
I admitted a patient who had just delivered (along with her newborn) one day... spent a lot of time with her doing routine admission stuff, then assisted her with breastfeeding and we finally got the baby to latch after 30 minutes of trying. I got her back again two days later, and as soon as I walked into the room, she said, "Oh, thank God, I'm so happy that you're back!"
Another patient and her family thanked us for saving her life (actually said those words to the physician), and sent a bunch of food to the floor along with a nice card. She deteriorated on us very quickly a few times after delivery... I actually left work a few times very anxious because I wasn't sure if she'd make it. She was in the hospital for a while... I liked her, but was glad to see her finally go home.