Nursing Corner: Relax, I know CPR!
People ask some interesting questions when they find out I’m a nurse. I was reminded about this the other day as I was eating lunch in the break room. A lady from registration asked me what I would have done in her situation as she describes a scene where her daughter was choking on a piece of cereal! Yikes! I told her how I would have handled it and told her that she should definitely take a CPR class. Although health care providers DEFINITELY need it, it benefits everyone, especially parents. Who knows what kinds of things your child will put in their mouth?
Mr. Crash cart is my friend
I remember the first time I actually used my CPR skills. I was volunteering at a hospital for the first day of my orientation in the ER. In walks a code blue (medical emergency for an adult) and they asked me to start compressions. I wanted to run and hide in a little hole, I was so scared!
Too bad that wasn’t an option!
I started the compressions, pulled it off, and felt like a champ 
White was never my color
My husband uses it on a daily basis to save lives. As a fireman/paramedic he is usually one of the first responders and has saved countless lives by initiating CPR….including a small child that eventually came back and visited him at the station….alive and well. I’ll admit it, I got a little teary-eyed as I saw pictures of him holding the kid he saved….that’s my man 
What’s awesome is that there are so many convenient ways to get your CPR certification, including online at: http://www.cprcertificationtrainingonline.com/american-heart-association-cpr-classes/ I would recommend this website for anyone, especially healthcare providers who don’t want to be inconvenienced to go into class….just take it online!
Questions for you: Have you ever had to use CPR in a non-hospital setting or seen it done? For those nurses out there…do you use it on your floor regularly?
I’ve had to use CPR at work and outside of work, yes but what really scares me is that so many people don’t see the importance of a simple CPR course that can save a life. It’s well worth the money and the time. Never know when you need to save a life.
my company offered a cpr class but it was very basic. my husband is an EMT though so that makes me feel a bit safer. Whenever a friend asks us to babysit, i always make sure eric can do it too …you know, just in case…
Yes, use it. Am an RN, Still amazes me that people don’t take the class, such a small investment. My son is n EMT, and father of four–soon to be 5 little ones. Daughter has been trained, cert. not up-to-date, but knows how to do it if needed.
Good article.
My husband and I need to learn CPR. Thanks for the reminder!
I’m a red beret medic during my army days which was more than 18 years ago. I remember we got to go for training classes every 6 months to maintain our CPR license. Till today, I’ve never used that skill (thank god) I always have the fear that I may do it wrongly and break the patients ribs. Lol!
I am a nursing student and although I have not used my CPR training yet, I do have the know-how. I am terrified of the day when I have to put it to use, but in a way I look forward to it so I can get over the fear and have the confidence to do it anytime necessary. Way to go on doing compressions during that code blue!
Yes, I’ve used it quite a lot in the ER, but since I’ve been on the floor (for the past 6 months), believe it or not, I’ve never had to use it. I guess that’s a good thing! But I still like to keep up with my BLS and ACLS certifications.
Thanks for posting. I always wanted to learn CPR but i just couldn’t find time to it. I believe it is important to learn even just some basic skills. It would really be helpful since you’ll never know when accidents may happen.
I like this am a registered nurse working in kenya thank you
I like this am a registered nurse working in kenya thank you.I work in a busy theatre and I think I do need these updates for me to be able to handle any emergency that may come my Way.