I never wanted to use CPR but needed it for this emergency. I was so glad I had to have CPR required for my profession and Job. I am a LPN at a nursing home where I have worked for a total of 16 -17 years. I have worked as a LPN for 7 years and am now going back to school for my RN at WWTC. I am in I never thought I would have too use CPR on someone, but when it came to a true charge of my own hallway, and do pretty much the same things that RN’s do at my work place, but that’s usually how all nursing homes are. I am responsible for 27 residents daily, but ultimately all the nurses are responsible for all residents in a sense. It seems like whenever there is major “drama” at my place of employment, I am always working.
It was busy just like all other days, but I did have to make time to go to lunch to clear my head as they say, when one of the other nurses I work with came running into the chart room, stating “I need help, one of my residents are choking”, this resident was eating lunch with a family member and they waited longer than any of us nurses to come and find help. She was gasping for air, and clearly her airway was occluded.
My mind was racing and my adrenaline was in full force, but I did remain calm. CPR is taught to us every 2 years a complete course. I hate having to take the three hours after work to stay and do it again, but I know it is important. I mean who wants to put in a full day of work and then stay and complete a class while still at work. It’s like when you have completed a busy day, you just want to go home and unwind.
The nurse in me kicked into high gear and we had to first check her oral cavity to see if we could pull anything out, finger sweep, nothing. Feel for her pulse very faint but still there. I hollered and pointed at another employee, “you go get the deliberator”. Now I had to begin compressions, counting a one, and two, and three and so on up to twenty, feeling her ribs crunch at times, then my partner who was my boss by this time, gave two breaths with the ambu bag. The ambulance was on its way and we could hear the sirens in the distance in the background. No stopping now till they get here and can take over. It felt like we were doing CPR forever, but afterward we were only doing it for about 6 minutes before the paramedics took over. This was like experience felt like I was someone watching not one of the people trying to save someone’s life.
When the ambulance came in the room and took over, and took her away to the hospital, it actually sunk in what we had just went through, and all the emotions came over me all rushing in at once. I thought did I just assist with trying to save someone’s life? I knew I went into this career to help people but never wanted to have to use this skill. I then imagine my children and thank goodness it was not one of them. I then turned my thoughts back to this woman, hopefully she makes it, and returns the same, but statistically she would not. My prayers turn to her family and hope for the best.
My mind was racing and my adrenaline was in full force, but I did remain calm. I really like this sentence. I think you do a good job of putting the reader in your shoes. I liked how you brought the personal side of imagining one of your children into the story, I think you should have done that sooner to pull the reader in. Overall good. You had some very short choppy sentences that at times were hard to understand. Good Job
ReplyDeleteI really liked this, as I take cpr training every two year at my job and think the same thing. I don't know how I would handle ever having to use it. Nice job!!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this essay. You did a great job. I liked the part when you said "it actually sunk in what we had just went through, and all the emotions came over me all rushing in at once" this was a good sentence. Good job! :)
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