'Death, helicopter crashes and tears: nurses' career-defining moments' diff viewer (0/1)

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Death, helicopter crashes and tears: nurses' career-defining moments	Death, helicopter crashes and tears: nurses' career-defining moments
2015-09-18 10:50:42 UTC	2015-09-18 11:25:08 UTC (34 minutes later)
Nursing is not about plans or budgets or charts. It’s about a helping hand	Nursing is not about plans or budgets or charts. It’s about a helping hand
Once, I had a Catholic priest with an abdominal aortic aneurysm – basically, bad news. He was due to have surgery to repair it and I was the anaesthetic nurse. I got him comfortable on the operating table, with everything ready. As the anaesthetist prepared, I held the father’s (let’s call him Joe) hand while he told me about his upcoming holiday to the US and how excited he was to be going. As he went off to sleep, I was able to somehow hold his hand and help the anaesthetist intubate him. Anyway, his aorta was a mess and they could not fix it and he died on his way to the intensive care unit. Mine was the last hand he held. I’m not Catholic – or even religious – but I’ve never forgotten this. Nursing is about the human touch. It’s not about plans or budgets or charts. It’s about a helping hand.	Once, I had a Catholic priest with an abdominal aortic aneurysm – basically, bad news. He was due to have surgery to repair it and I was the anaesthetic nurse. I got him comfortable on the operating table, with everything ready. As the anaesthetist prepared, I held the father’s (let’s call him Joe) hand while he told me about his upcoming holiday to the US and how excited he was to be going. As he went off to sleep, I was able to somehow hold his hand and help the anaesthetist intubate him. Anyway, his aorta was a mess and they could not fix it and he died on his way to the intensive care unit. Mine was the last hand he held. I’m not Catholic – or even religious – but I’ve never forgotten this. Nursing is about the human touch. It’s not about plans or budgets or charts. It’s about a helping hand.
Jen King, operating theatres, 2000, Brisbane	Jen King, operating theatres, 2000, Brisbane
Nurses can change and improve care across the entire world	Nurses can change and improve care across the entire world
In the past I have worked with the Red Cross in areas of conflict as a nurse; posts included feeding programs, cholera outbreaks, primary healthcare among others. I had the opportunity to confront the imbalance life presents by place of birth. To witness how people survive in the context of famine, disease outbreak and conflict has been inspiring. Being a nurse has given me access to people and places I could only have dreamed of. Twenty plus years into my career I still love going to work and am always thinking what opportunity is next and how I can use the incredible scope of skills I have developed over the years. Nursing is a basic qualification, yet it is one that can take an individual wherever their interests and imagination allow. Nurses should feel incredibly empowered by their choice of profession; we could change and improve care across the entire world if we wanted.	In the past I have worked with the Red Cross in areas of conflict as a nurse; posts included feeding programs, cholera outbreaks, primary healthcare among others. I had the opportunity to confront the imbalance life presents by place of birth. To witness how people survive in the context of famine, disease outbreak and conflict has been inspiring. Being a nurse has given me access to people and places I could only have dreamed of. Twenty plus years into my career I still love going to work and am always thinking what opportunity is next and how I can use the incredible scope of skills I have developed over the years. Nursing is a basic qualification, yet it is one that can take an individual wherever their interests and imagination allow. Nurses should feel incredibly empowered by their choice of profession; we could change and improve care across the entire world if we wanted.
Miranda Odam, Emergency Medicine Clinical Research, Edinburgh	Miranda Odam, Emergency Medicine Clinical Research, Edinburgh
Caring for a patient just after they’ve died can be beautiful	Caring for a patient just after they’ve died can be beautiful
As a first year student nurse a staff nurse showed me how to care for my patient who had just died. We washed the woman together – afterwards she asked me to find some flowers in the ward. She cut them and placed them on the pillow next to the patient – it was beautiful and stayed with me as I moved to work in palliative care and cancer care. I have never forgotten the compassion that staff nurse shared with me as she carried out the final act of care.	As a first year student nurse a staff nurse showed me how to care for my patient who had just died. We washed the woman together – afterwards she asked me to find some flowers in the ward. She cut them and placed them on the pillow next to the patient – it was beautiful and stayed with me as I moved to work in palliative care and cancer care. I have never forgotten the compassion that staff nurse shared with me as she carried out the final act of care.
Maggie Davies, deputy director of nursing, Worthing, West Sussex, 1986	Maggie Davies, deputy director of nursing, Worthing, West Sussex, 1986
Compassion is not a part of nursing, it is the definition of it	Compassion is not a part of nursing, it is the definition of it
During my second year placement I spent a night shift with one man who was admitted to the ward with respiratory failure; he was sadly entering his last few hours. He was unable to talk or move and could barely keep his eyes open. We attempted to contact his family but had no luck. He was frightened and distressed. I sat next to his bed and held his hand, to which I received a firm grasp. This was the first sign of consciousness I had from him for hours, so I sat with him until his family arrived later on in the morning, when he then passed away.	During my second year placement I spent a night shift with one man who was admitted to the ward with respiratory failure; he was sadly entering his last few hours. He was unable to talk or move and could barely keep his eyes open. We attempted to contact his family but had no luck. He was frightened and distressed. I sat next to his bed and held his hand, to which I received a firm grasp. This was the first sign of consciousness I had from him for hours, so I sat with him until his family arrived later on in the morning, when he then passed away.
This experience taught me that regardless of who or what you are, we are all human and that in times of fear, the touch of another person provides immeasurable reassurance and comfort when it is most needed. As my patient was dying, I knew that while I could not save him, I could make him as comfortable as possible to allow his last moments to be dignified and peaceful.	This experience taught me that regardless of who or what you are, we are all human and that in times of fear, the touch of another person provides immeasurable reassurance and comfort when it is most needed. As my patient was dying, I knew that while I could not save him, I could make him as comfortable as possible to allow his last moments to be dignified and peaceful.
Compassion is not a part of nursing, it is the definition of it.	Compassion is not a part of nursing, it is the definition of it.
Student nurse, Bath, 2014	Student nurse, Bath, 2014
I value the opportunity to give care to people at their lowest ebb	I value the opportunity to give care to people at their lowest ebb
I was involved in the emergency care of the people injuredwhen a helicopter crashed into the Clutha Vaults pub in Glasgow. The response from the nursing staff and the whole team at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary made it a career defining night that I’ll never forget. Almost immediately after the news broke and we were on standby for a major incident, staff who had already been on duty that day, and people who worked at nearby hospitals and clinics called and turned up to be of whatever help they could. I felt like I worked with a team of superheroes that night. A patient who arrived in the department recognised me and broke down in tears saying: “Thank God it’s you!”. It was an extremely humbling yet uplifting experience – even when he was terrified and injured, he recognised me (I had nursed his child a few days previously) and my being there appeared to make a difference for him. There are many moments that I’ll always remember but that, for me, is what makes nursing the rewarding career it is – the opportunity to give care to people in need at their most vulnerable and lowest ebb is to be valued.	I was involved in the emergency care of the people injuredwhen a helicopter crashed into the Clutha Vaults pub in Glasgow. The response from the nursing staff and the whole team at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary made it a career defining night that I’ll never forget. Almost immediately after the news broke and we were on standby for a major incident, staff who had already been on duty that day, and people who worked at nearby hospitals and clinics called and turned up to be of whatever help they could. I felt like I worked with a team of superheroes that night. A patient who arrived in the department recognised me and broke down in tears saying: “Thank God it’s you!”. It was an extremely humbling yet uplifting experience – even when he was terrified and injured, he recognised me (I had nursed his child a few days previously) and my being there appeared to make a difference for him. There are many moments that I’ll always remember but that, for me, is what makes nursing the rewarding career it is – the opportunity to give care to people in need at their most vulnerable and lowest ebb is to be valued.
	Related: Night shift from hell: my mistake almost cost someone their life
Emergency care, Glasgow, 2013	Emergency care, Glasgow, 2013
I started nursing because I wanted to make people feel better. Now I want to help make society better	I started nursing because I wanted to make people feel better. Now I want to help make society better
I did my first year of nursing training in Glasgow. On a community placement I was able to shadow a multi-disciplinary team set up to support parenting skills for at risk families in some of the poorest parts of the city for a day.	I did my first year of nursing training in Glasgow. On a community placement I was able to shadow a multi-disciplinary team set up to support parenting skills for at risk families in some of the poorest parts of the city for a day.
I met a beautiful two-year-old girl with blonde hair, blue eyes and a cuteness that only children that age have. She was born to a teenage single mother with drug dependency who was in a new, abusive relationship. Her grandmother was in her 40s and an alcoholic. Their house was squalid and had dog faeces on the carpet. All social norms were absent from this household that suffered abject poverty and reminded me of things I had only read about in history books. This one family portrayed a circle of despair where one generation, cut off from society, passed on their hopelessness to the next. Yet through it all, the beautiful girl played and joked and brimmed with all the potential of life.	I met a beautiful two-year-old girl with blonde hair, blue eyes and a cuteness that only children that age have. She was born to a teenage single mother with drug dependency who was in a new, abusive relationship. Her grandmother was in her 40s and an alcoholic. Their house was squalid and had dog faeces on the carpet. All social norms were absent from this household that suffered abject poverty and reminded me of things I had only read about in history books. This one family portrayed a circle of despair where one generation, cut off from society, passed on their hopelessness to the next. Yet through it all, the beautiful girl played and joked and brimmed with all the potential of life.
I now have a daughter of my own. Sometimes I look at her and she reminds me of that little girl I met a number of years ago – blonde, blue-eyed and beautiful. Presuming my daughter does not suffer a major accident or life-changing event, I can say with some confidence that she will be better educated, have better health and will live longer than the other girl I met on my placement.	I now have a daughter of my own. Sometimes I look at her and she reminds me of that little girl I met a number of years ago – blonde, blue-eyed and beautiful. Presuming my daughter does not suffer a major accident or life-changing event, I can say with some confidence that she will be better educated, have better health and will live longer than the other girl I met on my placement.
Neither of these two girls had the power to influence their lives at 2 years of age. It is unfair that the locale of your birth has more effect on your life chances than anything you personally can do.	Neither of these two girls had the power to influence their lives at 2 years of age. It is unfair that the locale of your birth has more effect on your life chances than anything you personally can do.
Health inequalities first sparked my interest in healthcare research. I have spent a number of years studying part-time while working full-time in an acute medical admission ward to learn skills that will help me make a difference for those born into deprivation. I recently started a full-time PhD investigating how people with multiple chronic conditions across the city of Glasgow access health and social care.	Health inequalities first sparked my interest in healthcare research. I have spent a number of years studying part-time while working full-time in an acute medical admission ward to learn skills that will help me make a difference for those born into deprivation. I recently started a full-time PhD investigating how people with multiple chronic conditions across the city of Glasgow access health and social care.
I started nursing because I wanted to make people feel better. Now I want to help make society better. Nursing is an exceptional profession.	I started nursing because I wanted to make people feel better. Now I want to help make society better. Nursing is an exceptional profession.
David Henderson, telephone triage, Highlands, 2007	David Henderson, telephone triage, Highlands, 2007
My terminally-ill patient taught me how to live	My terminally-ill patient taught me how to live
When I was a district nurse, I had one patient who was a young professional woman in her 30s with advanced terminal breast cancer. She was interested in people and had a thirst for life and fun which was infectious. I was having building work done, working 30 hours, with three kids all at primary school and generally busy – she taught me so much about being in the moment. I remember one time getting home after picking the children up from the child minders – she had been my last visit and her pain control was good and we talked about the future that she couldn’t have. The builders had made a mess – the hallway and stairs were coated in a thick film of dust. Instead of being cross at the mess, the children and I made hand and footprints in the dust – like you would in snow. I took a moment to be thankful for my children and to my patient for teaching me you can’t organise or dictate the future but you can enjoy the present.	When I was a district nurse, I had one patient who was a young professional woman in her 30s with advanced terminal breast cancer. She was interested in people and had a thirst for life and fun which was infectious. I was having building work done, working 30 hours, with three kids all at primary school and generally busy – she taught me so much about being in the moment. I remember one time getting home after picking the children up from the child minders – she had been my last visit and her pain control was good and we talked about the future that she couldn’t have. The builders had made a mess – the hallway and stairs were coated in a thick film of dust. Instead of being cross at the mess, the children and I made hand and footprints in the dust – like you would in snow. I took a moment to be thankful for my children and to my patient for teaching me you can’t organise or dictate the future but you can enjoy the present.
Sue Hogston, end of life care, Leeds, 2002	Sue Hogston, end of life care, Leeds, 2002
One episode showed me the importance of holistic care, even if I didn’t realise at the time what I was doing	One episode showed me the importance of holistic care, even if I didn’t realise at the time what I was doing
I was a first year nursing student on a night shift in a busy medical ward. I was sent to observe a patient who had an extremely high temperature. I spent around four hours keeping them company through a long night. I went home that morning and thought no more of it. When I went back on shift I found out they had made a full recovery, been discharged and had left me a gift – a cake with my name on it, calling me their guardian angel. I couldn’t understand initially why I’d been singled out until I thought about it from their point of view. Someone had spent a few hours keeping them occupied during the acute phase of their illness, while they were scared, just talking and listening. It was this episode, nearly 30 years ago that showed me the importance of holistic care, even if I didn’t realise at the time that was what I was doing. It shaped my subsequent practice and it is an episode I regularly share with students. I am also extremely grateful that it happened right at the start of my nursing career.	I was a first year nursing student on a night shift in a busy medical ward. I was sent to observe a patient who had an extremely high temperature. I spent around four hours keeping them company through a long night. I went home that morning and thought no more of it. When I went back on shift I found out they had made a full recovery, been discharged and had left me a gift – a cake with my name on it, calling me their guardian angel. I couldn’t understand initially why I’d been singled out until I thought about it from their point of view. Someone had spent a few hours keeping them occupied during the acute phase of their illness, while they were scared, just talking and listening. It was this episode, nearly 30 years ago that showed me the importance of holistic care, even if I didn’t realise at the time that was what I was doing. It shaped my subsequent practice and it is an episode I regularly share with students. I am also extremely grateful that it happened right at the start of my nursing career.
Surgical, Scotland, 1985	Surgical, Scotland, 1985
The girl who shaped the nurse that I am today	The girl who shaped the nurse that I am today
I once cared for a 19-year-old Iranian girl with leukaemia. Her family weren’t honest with her about her poor prognosis. Maybe this was due to her age or maybe her culture. Administering her chemotherapy enabled me to get to know her. Her bravery when she asked me whether she was going to die, because she couldn’t ask her family, has never left me. I learned so much about the essence of care, compassion and honesty in nursing that day and feel so proud that I contributed to her readiness for and acceptance of death. She shaped the nurse that I am today and is the reason why I still choose to work with young people today.	I once cared for a 19-year-old Iranian girl with leukaemia. Her family weren’t honest with her about her poor prognosis. Maybe this was due to her age or maybe her culture. Administering her chemotherapy enabled me to get to know her. Her bravery when she asked me whether she was going to die, because she couldn’t ask her family, has never left me. I learned so much about the essence of care, compassion and honesty in nursing that day and feel so proud that I contributed to her readiness for and acceptance of death. She shaped the nurse that I am today and is the reason why I still choose to work with young people today.
School nurse, Warwickshire, 1990	School nurse, Warwickshire, 1990
Elderly patients can be frustrating but it’s our duty to care for them	Elderly patients can be frustrating but it’s our duty to care for them
An elderly man (in his 90s) was brought in by ambulance and due to his presenting complaint, age and the fact that it was 1am, it was highly likely that he would be admitted to a medical ward for further investigation, as there is only a limited amount of investigation we can do in the four hour window that is A&E. My main concern was his wife who had severe Alzheimer’s and was cared for mainly by my patient. He told me about the carers that would go into their house first thing in the morning and write in the care book “Got Mrs Smith out of bed, washed and dressed her. Assisted her to have breakfast”. Mr Smith told me: “They think I’m stupid. I get my wife out of bed, I wash her and I feed her breakfast everyday. Those carers come every morning, write in the book and leave”. This brought me to tears. Sometimes, elderly people are the most vulnerable and while it is easy to get frustrated when you are under time pressures and they need the toilet for the 15th time that hour, these people fought in great wars; they’ve raised us and cared for us. It is our duty to care for them whether we’re a nurse or not. In the end we admitted Mrs Smith as well, due to safeguarding concerns and both her and her husband were kept in beds next to one another. I felt proud of the care we as a department had given this married couple and felt proud to be a nurse.	An elderly man (in his 90s) was brought in by ambulance and due to his presenting complaint, age and the fact that it was 1am, it was highly likely that he would be admitted to a medical ward for further investigation, as there is only a limited amount of investigation we can do in the four hour window that is A&E. My main concern was his wife who had severe Alzheimer’s and was cared for mainly by my patient. He told me about the carers that would go into their house first thing in the morning and write in the care book “Got Mrs Smith out of bed, washed and dressed her. Assisted her to have breakfast”. Mr Smith told me: “They think I’m stupid. I get my wife out of bed, I wash her and I feed her breakfast everyday. Those carers come every morning, write in the book and leave”. This brought me to tears. Sometimes, elderly people are the most vulnerable and while it is easy to get frustrated when you are under time pressures and they need the toilet for the 15th time that hour, these people fought in great wars; they’ve raised us and cared for us. It is our duty to care for them whether we’re a nurse or not. In the end we admitted Mrs Smith as well, due to safeguarding concerns and both her and her husband were kept in beds next to one another. I felt proud of the care we as a department had given this married couple and felt proud to be a nurse.
Emergency medicine, East Midlands, 2015	Emergency medicine, East Midlands, 2015