Nursing off Duty What would you do if you were in a restaurant and saw someone choking? Or in the airport and noticed someone fall to the floor clinching their chest? Odds are you said what every nurse did, you would jump right in and aid. It is not only within your instincts, it is in the ethics code of nursing to help when necessary. Nurses in the News - A nurse had taken her children to the local community pool. They were enjoying the day, and eating lunch at a picnic table when her daughter pointed out some kids trying to push a young man into the 12-foot area of the pool. It was obvious this boy, around 10 did not want to jump in, however the group around him were determined not to let him leave. The nurse yelled out for the life guard, however with the background noise he never heard her. Within seconds the boy was pushed into the water. The nursing instinct kicked in, she stood up to make sure he was ok; however, he was not coming up. The pool was very crowded; however, she was looking directly at this child, and he was struggling to no avail, he was below water. The nurse jumped into action and ran toward the child, diving in where space permitted. She went toward the drain and pulled the boy up to safety, however he was not breathing. By this time the lifeguard joined in, and they pulled the young man to the concrete area surrounding the pool. The lifeguard said he was trained in CPR but had never used if, he was obviously very nervous. So, the nurse went into action, all of her training and experience at work, she gave the young man CPR for approximately 5 minutes, when paramedics arrived. The young man started to vomit water and appeared to be ok; the nurse got a big round of applause from everyone gathered around. The young man was fine, and the nurse was recognized for her quick thinking and heroics, as the story was in the local newspaper the following day. Related: Preventing Patient Falls -
Derek was a nurse, but had only been working for 2 months. Being a new graduate, he was still pretty uncertain about many of his decisions; his self-confidence was not yet developed in his nursing skills. He went to the local laundry to do his clothes, he was determined to start doing his own laundry, and to stop relying on
mom. Derek had recently moved into his own apartment, and looked forward to a long career in nursing. He was “trying� to fold his laundry, when he noticed a pregnant lady bent over as if she was in pain. She was doubled over and holding her back with one hand, and her abdomen with the other. Derek looked around, but no volunteered to help, so he stepped over to ask if he could help. The woman said her water just broke and she was having strong labor pains one minute apart. Derek instructed others to call 911, and he used fresh laundered towns to have the lady lie down on. He did what he could to keep her comfortable. A quick examination told him this baby was on its way, so Derek was going over delivering babies that he had learned in school. Within 5 minutes this very beautiful baby girl made her presence in the world as Derek wrapped her in clean towels and handed her to mom. Paramedics arrived to take mom and baby to the hospital, where is so happened Derek worked. He went in a little early that night to visit the mom, and what a welcoming he received, from her entire family. The next day Derek was on the local news for his quick thinking, and for bringing this little lady into the world. Related: Family Interactions of Terminal Patients Nurses are caring people; otherwise they would have chosen a different profession. When someone needs you, it goes without saying you are there for them, whether you are working or not. Related: International Nurses Association - What's Your Superpower? Tshirt Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter