Reflection

Yesterday was difficult.

I have been a nurse for a little over 4 years now, and I never really stopped to realize how far I've come since I started my career. When I decided to become a Charge Nurse for my unit, I knew that I was going to have to deal with difficult situations such as parent complaints, crazy parents, helping staff, correcting problems, staffing issues, and responding to code blue (respiratory and/or cardiac arrest) situations.

Yesterday, I got to experience all of these.

The thing that I found most interesting, is that since I became a Charge Nurse, I have had more confidence when handling these types of situations. I know that I am the person that everyone on my unit relies on to help them with difficult situations. I have responded to code blue's before, but I have never had to initiate and be actively involved in the resuscitation process.

So yesterday when I walked into a scary situation, I knew I had to push that scary blue button without question. I knew what I had to do. I was scared, but remained calm. At that moment, time seemed to stand still yet it all happened so quickly. Some of my senses sharpened, while others seemed to dull. The experience I was having, differed from the experience the other people in the room were having. The "ABC's" (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) were all that mattered in that moment. Preserving life. And I was able to handle it.

The outcome was a good one. The patient ended up OK and transferred to a higher level of care (ICU). I was so grateful that, after a long day with all the little things I have to deal with (and stress out about) being a charge nurse, I was able to handle the most stressful type of situation. AND I knew exactly what I needed to do. I realize now, how far I have come from that new nurse I was 4 years ago.