Matika Burgess submitted 2017-08-19 00:00:00 +0000
Being a health care provider can be difficult. The outcome of every situation encountered can not be determined. We must focus on our skills and remove other thoughts, such as beliefs. We can not have a bias mentality. As health care providers, we must treat everyone equally and perform to the best of our ability. The same care should be given to everyone without a preconceived notion. The eagerness to help a fellow colleague should be equally given to a homeless person.
To prepare mentally for performing life saving techniques, first I clear my mind. I only focus on the task. That is the priority. This allows me to remove emotions, any biases, and prepare for what can happen. With life saving measures, the outcome is not always good. We would want all rescue efforts to have positive results, but that is impossible. Being emotionally prepared is important as well. Emotions can break your focus, which could interfere with providing the best care. Therefore, focus is key to perform skills accurately.
Before providing care, health care providers need to physically protect themselves. Our own safety must be ensured. Sometimes the safety of health care providers is forgotten. We can equally transfer infectious diseases and acquire them as well. Proper safety precautions must be taken. Examples are donning gloves when necessary or the use of a pocket mask while performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Having a first aid kit, gloves, and face masks or face shields in your car can keep you physically prepared. Anything that will help shorten response time is helpful. For example, at health care facilities, knowing the location of all equipment.
Health care providers are held to higher standards than civilians. Therefore we must be ready mentally and physically. When responding to emergency situations, the significant factor is time. Many students or new health care professionals can be their own worst critic. With emergency situations, it is normal to have some anxiety. Sometimes, due to inexperience, many fear the unknown and is unsure of what to expect. When you are new to situations, sometimes you doubt yourself. Learning to trust your skills is essential. Doubt becomes a hindrance when providing care. Being doubtful will only prevent you from providing the best care possible. I must reiterate, clearing your mind is important. It maintain focus on priorities.
Since childhood, I have always wanted to be a nurse. Before starting nursing school, I tried to help others as much as possible. Now that I am a nursing student, I feel more comfortable helping when needed. The skills and knowledge obtained are used to play a major role in patient care. When emergencies occur, I am quick to respond. Life is unpredictable. Life saving techniques can be needed anywhere at any time.
I was placed in an emergency situation last month. My son and his friend were riding bikes. Before I entered my apartment, I heard a crash and scream simultaneously. My son’s friend was struck by a car. At this time, I have so many thoughts racing through my mind. In emergency situations, time is crucial. While running to the scene, I was unsure of what I was about to encounter. I could only prepare myself mentally.
Fortunately, the accident was not severe. I was mentally preparing myself for the worst. As soon as I arrived, I started to assess the child. What I found perplexing, is that no one attempted to call emergency services. When accidents occur, especially when children are involved, order is needed. Naturally I can assume a leadership role. Sometimes regaining order to situations can be difficult for others. While speaking with emergency services, I had to constantly make sure that he did not get up. Several bystanders were encouraging him to walk.
The emergency response team arrived shortly. He only had lacerations to the right hand. Overall, I did not allow myself to panic. I get very emotional when it comes to children. Also, at the age of five, I was involved in a car accident. My condition was worse. I suffer from chronic pain from my accident. I did not allow myself to be overcome with emotion. Everything that needed to be done to ensure his safety was done.
The main goal with Basic Life Support is to stabilize our patients until they can receive treatment. As a health care provider, we can not allow anything to interfere with our judgement. We must maintain focus, so we can effectively use our skills. We constantly use our judgment for decision making. We need to be able to recognize emergencies. Early recognition is essential. Time is a major factor. Judgement is used to know when it is appropriate to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For example, it would not be performed where anyone could be in danger. One of the most important parts of cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the actual skill. It must be done correctly. Chest compressions must stay at the appropriate speed the full time. As health care providers, it is ok to have emotions, but they can not interfere with our job.