Being a nurse

So I started my last shift walking a body down to the morgue...and I ended it watching my first code. It happened so crazy fast- he was a DNR so once everyone realized that, it was over very quickly. Still kinda crazy the first time you see a real one. From the start of "man, he is really brady" (slow heart rate- low 30's for the record) to everyone running to his room to a little, short RN jumping on top of this guy to do compressions to two RN's listening for a heartbeat to call time of death, it might have been 7 mins. People, you should love your nurses- I'm telling you. These women who responded so quickly-one literally throwing her stethoscope on the floor to get it out of the way so she could run to his room- they are the ones on the front line- at your bedside in the middle of the night. They are the ones cleaning you up after you've been sick, watching your monitors, sometimes literally interceding with the doctors for your care, waiting on you like your mother would at times. I was struck by the care the nurses took with his body after it was over- making sure to give him a bath because they wanted to make sure his family saw him looking (and smelling!) as peaceful as possible. In the few short months I've worked this floor, I've seen nurses cleaning up really gross messes. I've seen them get hit and kicked while still maintaining concern for the patient instead of themselves. I've seen them walk the crazy old ladies who won't stay in bed back to their bed over and over again. I've seen them stay patient and calm under the most trying of circumstances. And I've seen them walk away to regain their composure and then wade right back in. I've done these things myself. One of these days soon, I'll post some of my stories so far. I love this job. I've had my moments of "there is just no way in hell I'll ever be good at this", but I keep getting up and going back because I love the job. I love my patients. I'm so glad I get to be a part of this profession. I'm excited about all the places I can go. Not sure where all this job will take me but I'm looking forward to finding out!