Facing Fear in Critical Moments

A patient coded right in front of me during my first week as a nurse and I froze completely.

My hands wouldn't move, my brain shut down, and I just stood there watching the

monitor flatline while everyone else rushed in. The senior nurse grabbed my shoulders,

looked me dead in the eyes, and said your fear doesn't get to make decisions here,

your training does. Something clicked. I jumped in, started compressions, and we got him back.

Later in the breakroom, she told me every single nurse has that moment where they realize this

job isn't about being fearless, it's about moving forward even when you're terrified.

That patient walked out two weeks later and thanked me personally. I still think about her words every