Tag Archives: charge nurse

It’s time to be a Strong Nurse

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I was about to ‘boost’ a patient up in the bed with a colleague and I noticed how strong she was. I hardly did anything! Later that night, a patient coded and she started CPR. I noticed that she could do it for such a long time with so much force. She’d take a break just for a few minutes before she took over again.

When I took over, I realized how little endurance I had. I was wiped out after a minute.

After the code, another colleague mentioned how she heard pumping noises right before the code was called. She knew that it was that strong nurse doing CPR.

After I went home for the day, I felt my abs hurting.

This made me think about all the strong nurses there are. Especially in the ICU. Especially her. So she’s my strong nurse idol. I want to be a strong nurse.

I bought new running shoes and workout clothes yesterday from Adidas. I haven’t had a sports bra since high school (I’ve been swimming instead). I have to build my endurance. Do free weights. Etc.

It’s time to be a strong nurse.

And I’m bringing my boyfriend along for the ride.

Strong nurse!

My patients blew kisses to me

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blowing kisses

 

And for that, I’m super happy. 🙂

It could be because I gave them what they asked for quickly.

It could also mean that I remember the small things that they like and repeatedly deliver it. For example, a patient likes his blankets straightened out so I’ll make sure to straighten it every time he calls. Or if someone likes their ice and water separately. Or wants a straw or not. Or the door closed. Or making sure they are getting pain medication at the appropriate time.

Or even more importantly, if they tell me about an abnormal sign or some problems, I act accordingly (speaking to other nurses, the charge nurse, the PA, etc) and resolve the issue.

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I do think that it does start top down — the right management attitude, the appropriate beds clustered together so that the nurse taking care of the 6-7 patients isn’t too overwhelmed, the support received from management, other nursing staff, pharmacy, environmental, transport and the doctors (especially when they are thorough with their explanations with the patients and their families)… it all comes down to teamwork and everyone doing their part!! 🙂