My Job Totally Rocks

I've only had a total of 3 shifts in shock/trauma, but already I've seen some crazy things--rapid resuscitation with fluids, a bedside fasciotomy to relieve compartment syndrome, a bolt being drilled into a man's leg to put him in traction, internal decapitation, bilateral chest tube insertion, cervical spine fractures, and the like.   

While it's awesome to experience modern medicine in action, it is also a little discomforting to realize how unattached I can be.  I do want my patients to get better, but I find it even more imperative in this environment to detach and to find humor in the little things, such as reasons for admission --my last patient ran his car into a 300 pound hog.  Yep, that's right.  No lie.  He was pretty banged up because of it too, yet I couldn't help but giggle at his tattoo choices.  I'm starting to realize how twisted I am.  But that's ok.  

I love working for a facility with the capabilities to be aggressive with treatment.  I love having a doctor in the unit at all times, so I don't have to sit and wait for someone to call me back when my patient is crumping.  I'm excited (and, at times, a little scared) about the level of autonomy I've just been handed through nursing protocols and procedures.  For instance, I can now initiate electrolyte replacement without a doctor's order, and I'm allowed to draw my own arterial blood gases.  All of it is really overwhelming right now, but I believe this career move was definitely a good change.  This job rocks!