Nurses, how do you do it?

[Disney1fan2002]

I could never be a nurse, and thank you to those that have chosen this career.

I work as a phlebotomist, and today, I almost lost it. I don't see patients all day, everyday. I may have 6 patients to draw today, and another different 6 patients to draw tomorrow. If I drew a patient in the mroning, chances are their labs are done for theday, so I won't be drawing them a later in the afternoon.

I spend maybe 5 minutes with them, while I take their blood. Then I am on to the next patient. So, I don't see what nurse see, when it comes to family visits, ect.

This morning, I had a patient I had to draw for 6AM in the ICU. I get there, and his wife and 4 adult children were in the room with him. The daughter was almost in the bed with him, hugging him and telling him it was Ok, to calm down. His breathing had become rapid, and he was clearly aggitated, even though he was not fully conscience. The daughter moved away so I could take his blood, and just the love this family had for this man who was clearly on his way Home.....just moved me. I was choking back tears as I was drawing his blood, because I did not want the family to see me crying.

This was the 1st emotional experience I have had since I became a phlebotomist last year.

Nurses, you see this everyday. Hospice nurses especially!!! How do you get through watching something like that without breaking down?

I don't think I could do what you do...I am not that strong.

 

[XYSRUS]

We have been blessed with being a part of the beginning of lives, the end of lives, and the unending love and fragility which belongs to both.

 

[minniebeth]

We have been blessed with being a part of the beginning of lives, the end of lives, and the unending love and fragility which belongs to both.

See this response right here alone brings tears to my eyes...nursing is a true calling. How many people do you know that say they are blessed to be doing what they are doing?
After spending 10 days with my mom in Hospice, I respect and honor nurses more than I ever could imagine. Truly angels on earth. I can't express my gratitude enough for all that nurses do. They touch and impact lives that there are no words for.

 

[DebbieB]

When my mom was dying, we had a home hospice nurse come. We asked her if it was difficult for her. She said she has strong faith and she's helping them move on to eternal life as comfortably as possible.

 

[dakcp2001]

Honestly, sometimes I still do cry, especially when it is someone young. Usually it hits me in the car on the way home.

 

[lsyorke]

We do it, because that's what we do. This is my recent experience with being a nurse and dealing with it.

http://news.nurse.com/article/20110127/NATIONAL02/301260034/-1/frontpage

 

[dissybroad]

I'm a psych nurse and the struggles of the chronically mentally ill and their families is heart wrenching to see. What saves me is having learned to appreciate progress in small increments and always trying to help patients do the same.

By the way, as thankful as some of you are for us nurses, I'm that thankful for teachers!

 

[pixie dust 112]

Amen to the thank you for the nurses. I was a candy striper when I was a teeneager, and saw what the nurses do on a day to day basis. I could never be a nurse!

 

[minkydog]

I have stood by many patients while they made that final journey and i have to say, it's an honor to share the experience. Most of my experience is pediatric and it is always heart-wrenching to lose a child. Many times i have taken a quick break in a storage room to cry my eyes out. Then i washed my face and went back out there and did my job. it's a little bit like being in the military. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to do, but you do them because people are counting on you.

I have to tell you, that i no longer work in an area where I have to face the death of innocent souls. I'm a school nurse now, after 30 years in hospital nursing. I love my current job, but I have no regrets from working in the NICU and PICU all those many years.

 

[KristaTX]

We do it, because that's what we do. This is my recent experience with being a nurse and dealing with it.

http://news.nurse.com/article/20110127/NATIONAL02/301260034/-1/frontpage

I am so deeply sorry to hear that your husband passed away. It sounds like you did a wonderful job loving him and caring for him.

Thank you for sharing that article with us .

 

[Buckalew11]

We do it, because that's what we do. This is my recent experience with being a nurse and dealing with it.

http://news.nurse.com/article/20110127/NATIONAL02/301260034/-1/frontpage

I am so very, very sorry for your loss Laurie. I remember how my mom and my sister's felt losing my dad to cancer and that feeling of "please take him on, he is not going to get better. Stop the suffering, please!" Hugs to you and please take time to grieve and heal--sounds like you've been through years of care with him and with your job. You deserve some TLC and some good times.

I surely am thankful for nurses and LPNs and CNAs and all the people who are involved in caring for us--in sickness and in health.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I consider one of the greatest priveledges of my life to be part of these moments with patients and families.

I also take great pride in the work I witness from the incredible nurses around me.