To be patient and calm! Why I Love Working as an Emergency Room Nurse

Velmurugan*

Senior Staff Nurse, Kauvery Hospital, Salem, Tamilnadu

*Correspondence: [email protected]

“A nurse is one who opens the eyes of a newborn and gently closes the eyes of a dying man”. It is indeed a great blessing to be the first and last to witness the beginning and end of life.

I joined Kauvery Hospital Salem on 18/9/2017. While serving the hospital I have grown much as a person, advocate, caregiver, critical thinker and nurse.

My expectation of a nurse is that he or she must be a good communicator, emotionally strong, empathetic, patient and calm. I feel that I possess these qualities which would make me a very successful nurse in the future.

I have dreamt about being a nurse since I was a little boy, and even later, as a young adult, I still have the desire to continue to be a nurse so that I can help others. My desire to become a nurse evolves from past experiences that have taken place in my life.

Before starting nursing, I had no experience in nursing, but I thought I had a good understanding of what nursing was. With each patient-experience my philosophy of nursing changed little by little and helped me develop a better understanding of what nursing is. Our patients are more than just bodies lying in a bed that are sick, they have other needs and concerns than just their current illness. These patients need to be looked at in a physical, spiritual, psychological and sociological way. I relate to myself when taking care of my patients. I think what if that was my mom or dad, child or friend; I would want the best care for them. We need to remember this when it comes to taking care of our patients.

I started my journey in Kauvery as a staff nurse in Emergency Department.

Every day in the ER is different, and ER nurses must be able to adapt and respond to new situations at a moment’s notice. One minute, you might work with a critically declining patient who has been in a major car accident. The next you would see a patient with a common cold. Although working in the ER might be too fast paced for some nurses, I have found it to be an incredibility rewarding field. As an ER nurse, I have learned valuable leadership, communication and critical thinking skills, while also expanding my nursing knowledge and expertise in a variety of specialized areas

The best part of being an ER nurse is the meaningful work. All types of nurses help people, but ER nurses get to help people in moments of truly urgent need. ER nurses can even save lives. No three shifts in the ER are ever the same. As an ER nurse, we will always see something new, which means we will regularly face new challenges and get to take on new tasks. These new challenges and tasks come with the opportunity to learn new skills. In order to work efficiently, we work as teams. Each member of the team plays a vital part in caring for the patient. While real ERs are not typically as drama filled as their TV counter parts, we do experience their share of patients in crisis. These adrenaline-inducing moments keep the job very exciting.

I will never forget this one instance, when one of my patients was brought to ER gasping, during my night shift. It was clear that he may die from his illness. The Duty Medical Officer was new. Suddenly I took courage and intubated the patient; the intubation was successful, At the time of discharge the smile of the patient added colours to my life.

What I have to say to the future, budding, nurses are that nurses are people who help others who are suffering, with patience and tenderness, which calms them down and reassures them. It is a profession that requires a genuine dedication to serve and support for others.

Nursing professionals are those who soothe the feelings of fear and distress of patients and provide safety and care. They support the physician in performing their responsibilities.

I am proud to be a NURSE.

And this article is dedicated to my “APPA” – MY ROLE MODEL & MY ALL-TIME SUPPORTER.

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