
As almost everyone of you know, I am an LPN on the Medical, Neuological, Oncology floor of EIRMC. In other words, I am one of many hands-on nurses on that floor. I haven't had the education to be in management, nor do I want management at this time because I love being hands on too much.
I have recently spent 6 nights in a row(these are 12 hour shifts) working. Only half of those nights was I able to come home on time (Normally I get to clock out by 7:30am).
The other nights/mornings I was unable to leave at my desired time. I have had to send 2 people to the ICU for significant decline in condition (AKA they are about to die- emergently). Luckily our hospital has a "MET code" tea. This is availale to
ANY employee that feels their patient is no longer a candidate for that specific department and would be saved by being taken to Cardiac or ICU, respectively.
Unfortunately one of those two people I sent to ICU did not live- in honesty the one that died proved a blessing because their life had no more quailty to it- for they would have drowned in their own lungs. The second- luckily, was able to be revivied without CPR and was in ICU before he could die on me.
I hate nights/mornings like this because I want to go home, I fear for the patients' lives and I hate to leave the on-coming nurse with a crisis to handle at the beginning of their shift.
Luckily, even though one died, the last one was able to get the treatment and superior care they needed in an emergency. His life was able to be reinstated despite what their body was trying to do.
ICU and Endo found the rhyme and reason for this patient's problem and were able to save their life.
I am posting this information to inform everyone, (for those who have no idea as to why I would put up with so much K-rap at work) to know that I could have a full year of misery at work, but as long as I had that one time where I did it right, and someone benefits from my actions, all the other 364 days of the year don't matter. If you come out with one life more than what
could have been you actually come out ahead.
Our excellent ICU staff at EIRMC were able to save a life that I was inable and incapable of saving on my own. To them I am in debted. I hope to one day be part of that team-and as a team I mean they are all willing to work together for one goal- to save lives and improve someone's quality of life.
To my fellow ICU TEAM....
I SALUTE YOU!
(specifically Paul and Don)
Thank you.