Sometimes They Shouldn't Be Saved

We had a code blue about 10 days ago. Don't know why, but a normal alert & oriented person's heart just stopped beating. No real warnings. The code was called. I was handed the book to record the minute by minute details of what happened during the code. I had never done that before, but I learned quickly. My advice...get a blank piece of paper & just start writing stuff down...by the minute. Then after all is said & done, transfer it to the official code paperwork.

Anyways, the patient was asystole....epinephrine and atropine were pushed. CPR continued...we got a pulse, then it went to v-tach and then to v-fib. What do we do with v-fib.......defib. We ended up shocking him 4 times. Just as they were calling for us to stop the code, a normal sinus rhythm popped up on the screen. Sounds like a miracle...but the code had lasted 20 minutes & it's too long without oxygen to the brain. He survived...he's on a vent...but plans to extubate & send him with hospice since he is virtually brain dead.

It's sad...both for the medical staff and the family. We think we were helping, but after all is said & done, we should have let him go a few minutes sooner during that code. I feel for the family...it's a tough decision for them, but they are making the right one.

My orientee is doing well. She's taking the full patient load on her own & I am trying to back off & let her come to me if she needs advice. She has 12 shifts left on orientation, so she needs to learn to be independent. I think this week I will challenge her...when she comes to me to ask a question, I'll ask her what she thinks. It's the best way to learn. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders.

We got fitted for our navy colored scrubs. No one is happy about all looking the same, but there's nothing we can do about it. I'm glad it's not white or some other goofy color. I feel like they are making us generic by all looking the same. Oh well, seems like many hospitals are doing this also. If that's my biggest pet peeve with the hospital, it's not so bad.

I spent last weekend with my three bff's at a hotel in Orlando. One of my friends turned 40, so we spent the day poolside and the night at Citywalk. Stayed the night at the hotel & went shopping the next day. It was a blast!!!

And speaking of bff's......today is Maria's b-day. Happy Birthday, Maria!!! :))

Grey's Anatomy finale

Did you see it? If not, stop reading this & go to abc.com and watch it. It was nervewracking & suspenseful. The best I've ever seen on tv ever! I had to remind myself to breathe. Some scenes are graphic/violent, so don't watch if you don't think you can handle it.

For those of you who did see it....what did you think?

Here's a link to the show...it's in 2 parts...

http://abc.go.com/watch/greys-anatomy/93515/261783/sanctuary-(finale-part-1)

http://abc.go.com/watch/greys-anatomy/93515/261805/death-and-all-his-friends-(finale-part-2)

I Made a Nurse Cry

Yep, I made a nurse cry last night.....because it was her 60th birthday & I managed to surprise her with a mini-party! :)

Work is going well. Had my yearly eval the other day. Yep, it's just about a year since I switched hospitals & for once, it was an awesome eval. My old hospital would never quite give you the credit you deserved because their motto was "you should always be striving to do better." Ummm, ok, I can strive to do better while still doing great & that's exactly what this eval was about. Or more like "don't change anything, we love what you're doing." It's nice to be appreciated. I was also told I am the designated preceptor for the night shift for new hires. Nice! And we have raises coming in June. Woo hoo!

It's kind of amazing. When I first got hired at this hospital a year ago, my floor was like the most unwanted floor for anyone to want to work on. Now 12 months later....there is an actual waiting list of nurses who want to work on my floor only. Needless to say, not only have I had an awesome year, so has my unit. We are where everyone wants to be. I don't think it's only because our pt ratio is 3 to 1, but also the attitude the floor exudes. Teamwork has increased 100%. It's now a fun, friendly floor. I like to think that those of us that transferred from my old hospital were a large part of the reason...because that is how we prefer to work...as a team. And that attitude is contagious. So all is good. I'm happy with my career at this point.

I do need to get focused on achieving my bachelor's degree in nursing. This hospital will pay for it 100%, so why not? The thought of having to do schoolwork though = ugh. Maybe later in the year. I don't want to think about it right now.

I'm going to Disney's Animal Kingdom in the morning...so I've got to get some sleep. Have a good weekend everyone!

Incredible!!!!!

Yes, my fascination with Tim McGraw continues. I saw him in concert yet again this past Thursday night in Jacksonville. He is just incredible. He sang for nearly 2 hours and at one point the lead singer from Lynyrd Skynyrd was there & they were singing "Sweet Home Alabama" together. It was amazing. I could never tire of watching Tim.

I think I was sitting in the row of "men with tiny bladders who drink too much alcohol." I had an aisle seat & must have had to get up at least 80 times to let these guys by. It was ridiculous, but they are lucky I was in a good mood.

Lady Antebellum opened for Tim. They are awesome & I'm sure this will be the last time they ever open for anyone. They are well on their way to being a great band.

I'm already checking out the other cities Tim will be in this summer.....might just have to take a road trip. Yes, he was that good!! :))