A Z N J O U R N A L JULY 1987, VOL. 4 6 , E

Letters to the Editor

Take Time to Care

My husband died seven months ago, and although his life ended in a nursing home, his last conscious moments were before surgery-so for me, he died in the OR. Naturally, this has had a grave affect on me as a wife and mother, but it has also changed how I view my responsibilities as an operating rmm nurse.

He entered the OR for elective surgery as a healthy 36-year-old man, and left comatose, never to recover. The coma lasted three endless months and emotionally tore everyone apart who loved him. What happened to my husband-a pulmo- nary emboli that left him totally helpless-can happen to any patient at any time during any operation. As perioperative nurses, we know this to be a fact, but until it is experienced firsthand, the staggering impact cannot be fully appreciated. Never before had I realized how fragile life is and how every operation is such a tremendous risk.

One of my happiest memories is of our last conversation, but I often think of his last conversation, which was most likely with an OR nurse. I like to think she was kind and gentle. I like to think she was not too wrapped up in the “festivities” of the case to hold his hand. She must have sensed how nervous he was. I hope she remembered to say some final kind words before he was anesthetized.

Since then, I take more time. If that means a surgeon, a scrub nurse, or an anesthesiologist h~ to wait, then so be it. I understand just how important my caring and my words are to every

nervous patient and every anxious family. Take time to care; no matter what happens

during the case, it will always be a comfort to you to know that you did. Those simple final words we say so routinely may just be the last words your patient ever hears.

KATHY MEYER, RN

SACRED HEART HOSPITAL OR STAFF NURSE

ALLENTOWN, PA

Reader Says Student Nurses Will Benejit From Article

As a student nurse, I am very pleased with the article, “Students to perioperative nurses: A hospital work-study program,” by Dennis Miner, RN, and Hannelore Schueler, RN, in the April issue of the Journal. The article may serve as a guideline for hospital externship programs, as well as an incentive for cost reduction in orientation programs.

In every baccalaureate nursing class, there are a few select students who demonstrate a strong desire for OR nursing. With education such as that offered by St Vincent Medical Center, Toledo, “nursing assistants” upon graduation and subsequent hiring will readily apply clinical techniques, as well as research, theoretical, and managerial skills in the operating room.

ALLEN NADERA CLASS OF 1989

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ

COLLEGE OF NURSING

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