Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a nurse. Attending people’s needs, alleviating their sufferings and so on and so forth... What I love the most is the thrill it brings…
“CODE!”
Everyone is rushing and somewhat agitated. Well, urgency along with the skills and knowledge is must for intensive care nurses specially when there is a code. Another life must be saved.
“The patient is in V-fib, Dr. Owens.”
“Give shock at 200 joules.”
“All Clear?”
“Clear!” as we put our hands up.
“Will deliver shock in 3, 2, 1.” Mr. Robin’s body quaver as electricity delivered.
“Shock delivered.”
“Start CPR.”
Hold on Mr. Robin…
“The rhythm is on v-tach.”
Good, Mr. Robin…keep on fighting.
“Give shock at 170 joules.”
“All Clear?”
“Clear!” as we put our hands up.
“Will deliver shock in 3, 2, 1.”
“Shock delivered.”
“CPR again. Start Epi,” Dr. Owens
“First dose of Epi given.”
“Still on V-tach,”
Fight, Mr. Robin…hold on.
“Give shock at 150.”
“Second dose of Epi given.”
“All Clear?”
“Clear!” as we put our hands up.
“Will deliver shock in 3, 2, 1.”
“Shock delivered.”
“CPR again”
“Amiodarone given.”
“The patient is breathing and has pulse.”
Oh, thank God!
“It is in Normal Sinus Rhythm, Dr. Owens.” I hear him sigh.
“Check blood pressure and PETCO2 “
“PETCO2 is in 30mmHg and increasing.”
“Blood pressure is 80/50”
“Maintain O2 Sat at >94%, avoid excessive ventilation. Start at 10-12 breaths and titrate to target PETCO2 of 35-40 mmHg. Give IV bolus of 1L NSS. Start Epi Infusion 35 mcg per minute and Dopa infusion at 10 mcg/ minute. Attach 12-Lead. Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes. Good job everyone.” This is what I hate, a bunch of doctor’s orders. Anyway, gotta do it, I have no choice.
***
“Kiara! Wait up! Thank God you haven’t left yet.” It’s Rachel, my friend in college and is working at Reagan’s too but she is in ER.
“Oh, Rachel, why?”
“You are A+ right? Could you donate blood right now? There is a patient with massive blood loss because of a vehicular accident. Please, our blood bank is out of A+ Blood.” She is too worried, which I observed since she looks older than her age.
“Okay, let’s go now.”
And this is what I hate the most, needles. I am a nurse but I do not want needles inserting in me. However, I have to do this, you know, the ‘gotta save a life’ perspective.
After an hour, I was discharge in the hemo room. I sill feel dizzy but I have to get back home to rest. It really stings yet donating blood is good for the body and at the same time, I was able to help our patient. I was not able to see him or her but Rachel said she does not want a beautiful creature to die at young age and I wonder how young is he or she ‘coz I really can’t stand watching a child die in front of me. It breaks my heart and probably, I will cry. Crying is a no-no in our profession, we can empathize but never sympathize. I remember how the nurse handled my anxiety when my parents were still in the emergency room, fighting for their lives. But they did not make it.
I became the breadwinner of our family since my parents died in a car accident on my graduation day last year. What a graduation gift, right? My uncles and aunts offered help especially in my brother’s schooling. However, as the eldest, I have to work hard for us to survive everyday. That is my responsibility.
Thank, God after I graduated Bachelor of Science in Nursing in UCLA, I passed my Nursing Council Licensing Examination in one take. With my high grades in college and high passing rate, I got hire from Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Yet, the money I earned from it wasn’t enough for the three of us, with my brother going to college—taking up Business administration at Westwood School of Business, and my sister studying in a private school, I wished I could find a high-paying part time job, plus other expenses. I want them to experience what I experienced while studying. Not minding the fees and just focusing on their studies.
It was tough, living without your parents.
I need a work. I need to work, big-time.
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Give Your Heart a Break
RomanceEverybody deserves to be happy. However Kiara, feels like she does not deserve to be one. After the tragic accident that resulted to her parent's death, she took the responsibility of her siblings. She is a nurse and at the same time, a model in a f...
