A nurse shares intense moments from a code blue situation and humorous aspects like 'Code Brown'. The emotional toll of nursing trauma and burn victims is discussed. The precise pre-surgery routine and dynamics with young doctors are explored. Handling multiple burn patients during a crisis and the chaotic reality are depicted. Nursing passion, purpose, and challenges drive the narrative of dedication and resilience in the profession.
Life-saving nature of critical Code Blue incidents with defibrillators showcased.
Emotional toll of witnessing severe burn cases leading to personal struggles and career redirection.
Deep dives
The Impact of Code Blue Incidents
Nurse Teresa Schuster recounts a critical Code Blue incident where a patient's heart stopped during a procedure. The medical team successfully used a defibrillator to revive the patient, showcasing the life-saving nature of such events. Not all code situations involve life and death scenarios, as highlighted by the humorous example of 'Code Brown' for certain occurrences in the operating room.
Challenges and Emotional Resilience in Nursing
Schuster reflects on emotionally challenging cases she encountered, such as severe burns in young patients due to accidents or abuse. The emotional toll of witnessing such cases, like a two-year-old boy with scald injuries, led to personal struggles and eventual career redirection. Despite the heart-wrenching experiences, Schuster's approach of finding purpose in helping patients and maintaining emotional connection underscores the resilience required in nursing.
Nursing Profession's Significance and Dilemmas
Through Schuster's insights, the podcast delves into the multifaceted nature of nursing, balancing passion for caring with the high-stress realities of the job. The discussion also highlights the impact of pay differentials over the years and the evolving challenges within the profession, such as staffing shortages and increased workloads. Schuster's candid portrayal of the sacrifices and rewards in nursing sheds light on the dedication and complexities inherent in the role.
Caring for patients with serious burns, making sure the correct leg gets operated on, and working 24 hours straight with Teresa Shuster, a nurse in Florida. How did a patient change the trajectory of her career? And what's a "Code Brown"?
NEW BOOK ALERT! You may be aware that I’ve written or co-written five business books, including The Power of Moments and Made to Stick. I’ve got a sixth book coming out in January called RESET: How to Change What’s Not Working. It’s a book intended to help you and your team get unstuck, to overcome the gravity of the way things have always worked. Learn more about the book or preorder it here.
Got a comment or suggestion for us? You can reach us via email at jobs@whatitslike.com
Want to be on the show? Leave a message on our voice mailbox at (919) 213-0456. We’ll ask you to answer two questions:
What do people think your job is like and what is it actually like?
What’s a word or phrase that only someone from your profession would be likely to know and what does it mean?
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode