Moments Like These . . .

I had a God moment the other day. . .


On Wednesdays I have to go to the hospital to look at my patient assignments for the next two days. This is because I can look up their medications and treatment options to be prepared to provide patient care for them. My patient was a 19 year old girl who was admitted with Cholelithiasis (Gall stones) and had surgery the previous day for a Laproscopic Cholecystectomy (Gall Bladder Removal). She had a care plan full of information about familial issues and anxiety. So going into this, I was a little nervous with who I would meet.

Remembering the "shoes" I would have to wear, I went in her room and met this girl who is about my age. I took her vitals and completed a morning assessment, and I was able to give her anti-anxiety medications along with a warm blanket and some sprite :) So far so good . . .

Then after assessing her again, I noticed dim bases in her lungs posteriorly (very quiet breath sounds on the bases of the lungs on her back side). Her oxygen sats were at 87% (which we want to keep at above 95%). I talked to the nurse and she told me to give 2L oxygen through a nasal cannula. I gave her the oxygen and encouraged her to sit up once in a while and use her Incentive spirometer (a device used to expand your lungs when you breathe in). I was able to get her to use her spirometer three times in the time that I was there :) and none of the nurses got her to use it. Her oxygen levels went back up to the upper 90s and she didn't have to use the oxygen anymore.

The next day before her discharge, I got her to get up and walk the halls of the nursing floor to make sure she wasn't dizzy at all before she went home. I learned a lot from her then, how she went to my school, she wants to study pre-med, and how she feels she doesn't have a lot of friends. At this point, I realized how much I could relate to her. I have been where she was. It was nice to be able to talk to someone who has had similar experiences that I have had. We talked about Grey's Anatomy and House too which made her smile. To know that you can make a patient smile when they are at their worst, just makes me feel so good.

I had a talk with my instructor just after my patient was discharged and she told me the most amazing thing.... She told me that she assigned that patient to me on purpose because she has seen the impact I have made on my patients. She knew that I would be a good nurse to that patient because she knew that I would show the compassion for her no matter what her situation was. She also told me how she has been so "tickled" by my performance during clinicals. And then she said... That I will be a great nurse, no doubt about it. :)

Experiencing a day like this, tells me that I am heading in the right direction. I'm continuing to stay on the right path that will lead me to fulfill my purpose in life. Thank you God for moments like these :)