Perspective

My patient unexpectedly developed a serious issue and was rushed off to emergency surgery. Just before he was wheeled off my unit, I caught the eye of two nursing students, who had been watching with awe as the situation developed and was handled.

"So exciting!" one gushed.

Those two words hit me like a punch in the stomach.

Exciting? I could think of many words to describe the situation, but exciting wasn't the first to come to mind.

Terrifying.

Frustrating.

Nervewracking.

Uncertain.

Unifying.

Motivating.

Four years ago, however, I probably would have reacted the same way they did. Here's a chance to see something new! I can totally write about this in my clinical reflection! When else am I going to experience this particular type of case, unless I work in a particular field of nursing? Can't wait to tell my classmates and instructors about this one! Maybe he'll develop some sort of complication to make it even more interesting!

Amazing what a few years in the field can do to your perspective.