A Dramatic Moment
By Kathleen Youngman, R.N. Outpatient Surgery Nurse
Ever since I began my nursing career in 1966, my passion has been caring for my patients. Being prepared, well trained, and on top of things has always been very important to me professionally.

Several years ago when I was caring for medicalsurgical patients, I had quite a scare. I was administering the morning pill medications to one of my elderly patients when, even though she was sitting upright, she started to cough after swallowing the pills.

Her coughing immediately turned into choking and she started turning blue. In a split second, I swung around her, formed my hands in a ball, and performed the There are moments in the life of a nurse that enter the heart and fill it with the understanding and awareness that softly whispers, "This is why I became a nurse."

Heimlich maneuver. The pill flew out of her with such force that it struck the wall opposite her bed. Just as suddenly, she was able to breathe and her color returned to normal.

It was such a dramatic moment. Everything happened in a split second. We both hugged each other and cried with great joy and relief. Through her tears of joy she said, "You saved my life! I will never forget you." We were both almost paralyzed in the drama of the moment. I stayed with her to make sure she was okay before I notified her doctor.

I never forgot that patient or the crisis situation where my training made such a major difference. All of my training in emergency procedures was so well ingrained that I didn't even have to hesitate to act. I knew exactly what to do.

That emergency certainly impacted my life. At times when I think back to this dear, elderly patient, I relive the tears and the gratitude on her face when she was able to regain her breath and say, "You saved my life." Her praises meant so much to me. After all, I was living my passion.