Last shift

I have completed my last shift ever in the National Health Service, UK as I officially resign on April 1, 2009. What a way to end my working life. I was working the night shift for the Intensive Care Unit for the past week and it has been one stormy week. Every night, I had patients to review up on the wards, and as I was reviewing them, they arrested right in front of my eyes.

Oh no.......I can feel my pulse race and the adrenaline rush to my brains to keep me on auto-pilot. Start chest compression, 30 to 2, 2 minutes up, check for pulse, no pulse, everyone clear, shock now, resume chest compression.

Within minutes, the cardiac arrest team arrives and I feel relieved but still hyper-active from the adrenaline rush. The patient finally has a pulse and we bring her down to the Unit. Unfortunately, she does not survive the next few hours.

Despite my rants and complaints about the NHS, I will be forever grateful for the training that I received from the wonderful Consultants and SpRs who took the time and effort to work within the system to provide us with the teaching we needed. At the end of the day, it is these people within the system that makes it all worthwhile.

Am off to Budapest tomorrow with 2 friends for 3 days. Praying for good weather!