Information

[Ayla]

Sometimes it's hard to go back to work. Not just after a vacation, but walking in there period. You work very hard, and that's ok...you don't mind working hard. The elderly man who brings in his wife with a bladder infection has sparkly blue eyes that really remind you of your dad's before he passed away, and that memory brings a smile to your face. You deal with petty stuff and rough stuff alike, sometimes all at the same time. But there are days that really take their toll. You look at the unresponsive patient lying on the cart in front of you, and realize with a startle that she has the exact same birthday as your daughter. And you struggle with the realization that while you look forward to celebrating your daughter's 19th birthday in a couple of months, you know that the girl on that cart won't see hers, all because of one split second in tiome. She may not even be here for tonight's sunset. You struggle with that realization, but you move forward, and give the best you have. You hold it together, until one of your coworkers asks how you're doing and you respond "I'm okay." And your coworker looks at you and calls you a liar. So you go into the bathroom until you have yourself composed again. You make it through the shift, absolutely exhausted in every muscle you have when you walk out. You wonder why you go back. And then you realize...you go back because you are, selfishly perhaps, one of the best there are. You know your stuff, and you care passionately. And you hope that someday, God forbid one of your own family members needs to go to the ER...and you want the nurse that takes care of YOUR family member to be as good and as caring as you believe yourself to be. So you go back...because you know you can make a difference. Maybe it's hard to see, but you hold onto that. And you hope that somewhere, sometime, someone out there understands. Or at least lets you vent when you need to. And encourages you to keep going. And you are grateful.

Thanks for listening.

[jrrah4903]

Working in the ER sounds both thrilling at times and all encompassing! I also hope that if we ever needed it, we'd be cared for by a Nurse as exceptional as you are!!

[suewho372]

You are an amazing caring person Nancy. I am glad there are nurses like you and wish there were more. I could not do what you do- I wouldn't be able to hold it together for the cases that were terminal and such. You are appreciated!!!

[Art_Teacher]

Aww...Nancy.  I am grateful there are nurses out there like you.  Hugs to you for what must have been an extremely difficult time at work.

[sweetsour]

Gawd Nancy, I got teary-eyed reading this.   Sometimes it's a thankless job but absolutely you (and the others who actually care) are appreciated!  I could not do it.
A million times thank you for going back in there.

[average_kim]

So sorry about the stresses of your job, but I'm thankful also for nurses like you.  It's good to hear that people still care--it's more than just a job to you; you give it your all.  I wish I were as good with words as you are.  I've dealt with and heard of both sides of the story--and am always touched and love the ones that are like you.

[Deanna13]

Hugs for going through that day after day!  Both my daughters are in the medical field, 1 a nurse and 1 a respiratory therapist. They've seen alot of stuff, some they've shared. My RN daughter worked in the birthing unit and my RT daughter worked in the trauma unit.

[CherryTat]

I hear you Nancy. I have shifts like that too, believe me. I work on a med-surg unit. I think sometimes that people (other nurses included- I am not referring to you Nancy, I mean nurses in my own facility ) don't realize what we see on units like that. We see things that would break your heart all the time. We see the patients and families when they get their initial diagnosis of cancer after they come back from the OR- some treatable, some not. We see those that come into the hospital to die as pain free as is possible- some are old, but a lot are not. You listen to families vent their frustrations and anger, and be there for them to cry on your shoulder. You advocate for patients who can not find their own voice or are physically unable to, or do not have families to do it for them. You put yourself in the patient's or families shoes and realize how you would feel, and your heart breaks. You go get the wife of a patient in your own car while he is coding, and when you get back, he is already gone- she is in shock and you have to help her deal with what happened. Now there are lots of good times- routine surgeries and admissions where patients get better and go home- you can have a laugh with them and educate them before they leave, and you feel good. 

Nursing is hard, but rewarding. I work with great people and we are supportive of each other. A few months ago I had an extremely difficult family member to deal with and I ended up being very upset, I had to go in our break room and have a cry for myself. My coworkers were so understanding. I called the doctor to come deal with the situation and he was very understanding and did exactly what I wanted him to do. I felt very supported and cared for by them all. I am a very good nurse also, and deal very well with families as I am very kind and caring (yes I am tooting my own horn)

Nancy, the nursing profession needs more nurses like us - we care, and we are awesome   Loves ya girl!!

 

[cajenkins81]

I can only imagine the things you see and deal with working in the ER and i know it's stressful.  You gotta take time for yourself sometimes and recharge. It takes a toll on us to care for others, and we've all been there, but working the ER is especially stressful.  You can vent here anytime. Life gets the best of all of us sometimes. Hope you have a great day! 

[Flasher]

Aww...Nancy.  I am grateful there are nurses out there like you.  Hugs to you for what must have been an extremely difficult time at work.
 

Says it all for me.  Hugs to you. 

[pawprints]

Thank God for caring and compassionate nurses like you Nancy. Working in an ER has to be one of the most difficult and emotionally draining jobs you can have, but the fact that YOU are there I'm sure has made a difference in so many lives. Some I'm sure that you never even realize. Having a compassionate and caring medical professional there when your loved one is in medical need makes all the difference in the world to them and to their loved ones.

[Berta R.]

I was never a nurse but I have spent a LOT of time in hospitals.  And I'm grateful for those nurses who really seemed to care about ME.  You and Darlene sound like those kinds of nurses.    I have a niece who is an RN and she occasionally needs to vent as well. But she keeps returning to work for the same reason you do .  She can and does make a difference!  Hang in there, Nancy! 

[oceanbreezes423]

I admire you and many like you. I left the profession many years ago, as I reached a point where I could no longer "shut it off". It does take it's toll!!! Hugs to you!

[Ayla]

I hear you Nancy. I have shifts like that too, believe me. I work on a med-surg unit. I think sometimes that people (other nurses included- I am not referring to you Nancy, I mean nurses in my own facility ) don't realize what we see on units like that. We see things that would break your heart all the time. We see the patients and families when they get their initial diagnosis of cancer after they come back from the OR- some treatable, some not. We see those that come into the hospital to die as pain free as is possible- some are old, but a lot are not. You listen to families vent their frustrations and anger, and be there for them to cry on your shoulder. You advocate for patients who can not find their own voice or are physically unable to, or do not have families to do it for them. You put yourself in the patient's or families shoes and realize how you would feel, and your heart breaks. You go get the wife of a patient in your own car while he is coding, and when you get back, he is already gone- she is in shock and you have to help her deal with what happened. Now there are lots of good times- routine surgeries and admissions where patients get better and go home- you can have a laugh with them and educate them before they leave, and you feel good. 

Nursing is hard, but rewarding. I work with great people and we are supportive of each other. A few months ago I had an extremely difficult family member to deal with and I ended up being very upset, I had to go in our break room and have a cry for myself. My coworkers were so understanding. I called the doctor to come deal with the situation and he was very understanding and did exactly what I wanted him to do. I felt very supported and cared for by them all. I am a very good nurse also, and deal very well with families as I am very kind and caring (yes I am tooting my own horn)

Nancy, the nursing profession needs more nurses like us - we care, and we are awesome   Loves ya girl!!

 

Love you too! And yes, we care, and we are awesome!

[Ayla]

Thank you everyone, for letting me vent. That girl I mentioned? She really does share my Ali's birthday...month, date, and year. Really hard sometimes. All your support means so much!

[need2scrap]

Gawd Nancy, I got teary-eyed reading this.   Sometimes it's a thankless job but absolutely you (and the others who actually care) are appreciated!  I could not do it.
A million times thank you for going back in there.
 

Ditto from me!

I think you should be a motivational speaker or trainer or counselor for others who have entered your world of the ER.  With your knowledge and experience, others would really benefit from your insight!

I sure hope if me or one of my family members ever goes to our ER that there is someone like you working there!  It's one heck of a job, emotionally draining at times I'm sure.   Thank you for caring and being such a great nurse! 

[LyndaKay]

Three cheers to all the nurses and care givers here on the m. board.

[Christi S.]

Hi all,

Several years ago, I had major surgery and got aspiration pneumonia when I was under anesthesia. I had 14 tubes going in or out of me plus the oxygen.  I also have extremely bad restless legs syndrome, and they were easing me back on medications that week while I was recovering, so I didn't have my usual doses of RLS medication.  In addition, they had these inflated "socks" on my legs that helped with circulation - but they were attached to the bed, so basically, my legs were TIED to the bed.  Needless to say I was miserable.

One night, I couldn't sleep and a nurse who was walking by heard me coughing and came in to check on me.  She was not my regular nurse.  In fact, she said she didn't work this floor but had been passing by and heard me.  In the dark I couldn't make out her face.  She adjusted some of my things and asked if I couldn't sleep and I told her about how uncomfortable I was with my legs tied to the bed.  She said she'd be right back.  In minutes, she returned with lotion.  Carefully, she took the "socks" off my legs and spent about 5-10 minutes massaging my legs and feet with the lotion.  It felt sooooo good; in fact, it made me cry, and as I write this, I am teary-eyed again. After she was finished, she checked all my machines and said she hoped I'd get better fast and she left.  I never did get to see her face, really.  I think of her as being like an angel.

I work as an admissions counselor for health sciences and nursing at a college.  When I was interviewed for the position, they asked me why I wanted to work in their department.  I retold the story of my angel in the hospital and added, "That's why I want to work here.  I want to help people who are like that."

I've been in the hospital 6 times since then and each time, I am amazed at the compassion, warmth, spirit, positiveness and intelligence of the nurses who have taken care of me.  Your post brought tears to my eyes.  I am glad you got to vent here.  Just know that we appreciate you and what you do to make us comfortable, feel safe, and cared for.

Thank you.

Christi S

[Shutterbug]

Nancy I too got emotional reading this post.  I have health issues and nave been the one in the ER more then once.   I have been there when family needed care.  TH\hanks so much for your unconditional love that give to all those that come intoyour care.  I know it is not easy. It takes someone special to do your job.
 

[mommyribs]

I am thankful for nurses like you.  I thought your post was beautifully written and brought tears to my eyes.  I know this probably sounds weird, but I envy you.  I would so love to be a nurse and be able to help people, but alas, I just don't have the stomach for it.  That frustrates me so much.  I think you are awesome for what you do!