Urgent vs Panic

Working in a critical care setting, I've learned very quickly that things can go bad, fast. One minute you're joking with your coworkers and drinking your coffee, the next minute an ambulance is rushing in and you're doing CPR. Some nurses are FANTASTIC to have on your critical care team. The ones who never seem to get their feathers ruffled, who are always anticipating what's going to happen with the patient and always seem to be a half of a step ahead of the residents. It's awesome working a code with nurses like this, everything seems to happen quickly, yet systematically.

Then there's nurses that PANIC. When they have a sick patient, it's like the world is ending. They scream and seem to be running around in circles, without actually accomplishing anything. They get super excitable and it rubs off on the whole team, as well as the patient. They aren't thinking rationally. This is where mistakes happen. When you're in this panicked state of mind, it's so easy to trip over the code cart wires, stick yourself with a needle, or have a medication error. 

I'm not saying that I'm perfect, or even really that experienced. But I can feel when I start getting worked up. I can recognize that in myself, and I try to take a step back, take a deep breath, and ask for help from one of the more experienced RNs. Having someone in the room that I know is calm, level-headed, and super smart keeps me from getting to that insanity level. When I feel my hands starting to shake, or if I find myself running into equipment or tripping over wires, I know I need to ask for help. 

The other day we had a transit bus pull into the ER circle because a rider had collapsed on the bus. The tech and the nurse that ran out to the bus were of the 'instant hysteria' category. I attempted to bring them a stretcher, and about 10 security guards were all running around circles screaming for help. 

I went back inside to clear out a room for this coding patient and I can hear them coming screeching and stampeding down the hallway. They try to rush their patient into the room, while a tech is doing CPR on the stretcher, before we had even moved the stable patient into the hallway. Talk about traumatic.

It was one of the more chaotic codes I've been involved in. If they hadn't been so hysterical, it could have completely changed the atmosphere, and they way the entire situation was run. Yes, it was an insane sequence of events, but keeping your wits about you is so important when you work in an emergency setting. 

So I beg of you all, know yourself, know when you're starting to feel overwhelmed, and ask for help. DON'T SCREAM. Don't run around with a chicken without a head. Know what needs to be done and do it so mistakes don't happen.

TL;DR: Work urgent, not panicked. 

-K