Upsetting Shift

@flapiz (22402)
United Kingdom
May 5, 2021 2:53am CST
One of my patients took a down turn around 6 AM today and started to had a code. Our ward only had 2 nurses and 1 healthcare assistant we had 16 patients a lot of them needs assistance. I feel so frustrated as this is the time of day for medications and vital observations and the fact that I know our patient needs more attention than what we could give. Called the ICU to borrow a nurse and everything just became so busy as we try to stabilise him. Time went quickly and we ended up sending him to ICU. At the end of my shift my colleague asked me how I felt I just broke down and cried. I felt helpless and I felt like I haven't done much. Being confronted about the fragility of life I sometimes question myself if this job is right for me. I hope my patient would survive. They say it's abdo sepsis.
10 people like this
10 responses
rakski
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
5 May 21
2:16 is too much when it comes to patient care Sending you virtual hugs Hope your patient survive
2 people like this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
5 May 21
It's actually doable we do up to 9 per person even but not with people who needs high care and assistance because I can't split myself into 2. And we can't really tell patient to wait for their urgent needs.
2 people like this
rakski
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
7 May 21
@flapiz true.
1 person likes this
Gruffydd Rhydderch
@Orson_Kart (6108)
• United Kingdom
5 May 21
I think it shows you care and that's a good thing to find in a nurse. It's a difficult job but must be rewarding when you see people recover from illness or injury. Don't let it put you off. Keep up the good work!
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
5 May 21
I actually really do care but I also feel like I'm weak and I should be braver but it was all too much.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
6 May 21
@Orson_Kart Well tired and overwhelmed I was. We were short staffed and well it was a rapid unexpected deterioration. I had a good sob.
1 person likes this
Gruffydd Rhydderch
@Orson_Kart (6108)
• United Kingdom
5 May 21
@flapiz Maybe you were just tired? Tiredness can heighten emotions. Just being a nurse is very brave, most people couldn't do it.
1 person likes this
DianneN
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
5 May 21
You have a very tough job that only special people can do. Don’t blame yourself. He needs more medical help than you can do.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
5 May 21
That's exactly what I'm doing Dianne I felt like I am not very competent. My specialty isn't high care patients, I am more of elective level care and today I got confronted with the fragility of life.
1 person likes this
DianneN
@DianneN (246720)
• United States
7 May 21
1 person likes this
Shiva
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
5 May 21
Yes, it is indeed tough for medical personnel when things go downhill. I feel for you.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
6 May 21
Some people may think it gets easier the more we experience it but I feel like I would never get used to people going downhill.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
6 May 21
@Shiva49 thank you. God bless you as well.
1 person likes this
Shiva
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
6 May 21
@flapiz I always have noted and appreciated the challenges of medical staff. Only a few can fit in, make the cut. May God bless you all.
1 person likes this
CarolDM
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 May 21
You have so much pressure on you now more than ever. Bless you for taking care of these patients. It takes a special kind of person to do what you are doing. Stay safe.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
6 May 21
Thank you Carol. I feel like God has been so kind to me as tonight seem to be a contrast to last night. We are actually properly staffed.
1 person likes this
CarolDM
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 May 21
@flapiz You are so welcome. Take care of yourself.
1 person likes this
Eric Tsuma
@erictsuma (9726)
• Mombasa, Kenya
5 May 21
Yes that's really frustrating but don't worry your patient will be fine.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
5 May 21
I really pray to God he will be. He is not for resuscitation but still he is 57 and young. I really feel like the outcomes aren't going to be great.
1 person likes this
Eric Tsuma
@erictsuma (9726)
• Mombasa, Kenya
6 May 21
@flapiz just hope for the best everything will be fine.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
6 May 21
@erictsuma Well I did another nights yesterday and he was very unwell but alive. Apparently it was heart failure as he had heart conditions yet he's not been on blood thinner for over 2 years already.
Notlilie
@prinzcy (32322)
• Malaysia
12 May 21
You've tried your best to help. No matter what happen afterwards, don't blame yourself. You're already amazing.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
12 May 21
The man lived on the next day but really critical. Upon discovery there has been quite a lot of neglect leading to his hospitalisation. He's had heart valve issues since 2 years and he wasn't on any blood thinners.
1 person likes this
[eds]
@ZedSmart (19753)
• Philippines
5 May 21
Oh don't blame yourself. You've done your part. I just hope that the hospital could employ more nurses to cover all the patients needs on time.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
5 May 21
That is the ideal world. I wish I could do more but I am not ICU trained.
Silvia
@Shxrubia (2752)
• Indonesia
5 May 21
Don't blame yourself, whatever happens is god's plan. Let's wish your patient all the best, hope he's all right.
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
5 May 21
I really hope he will be fine. I don't even want to come to work tonight to be honest
MerryBelle
@merrybelle2021 (1389)
• Philippines
5 May 21
I hope your facility hires more staff so all patients are cared for properly. What causes abdominal sepsis?
1 person likes this
YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
5 May 21
Yeah I think 2 nurses for 16 is a lot. I mean I'm used to 1 is to 15 in the Philippines but patient weren't as poorly. Sepsis is a very severe form of infection and in this case it originated from the abdominal region may be due to conditions of the bowel.
1 person likes this