Personal Narrative: My Experience As A Nurse

When I was thinking about writing this journal post a particular experiences came into my head. I pushed it aside for the fact that it didn't fit the criteria for this journal. However, after struggling trying with writer's block, I gave in to my original thought. The experience I am going to be talking about doesn't fit the criteria of being a patient/nurse interaction because I wasn't with a “patient” or in a clinical setting.
On the night of Saturday, October 11th, Logan and I went out for a typical Saturday date night. This night in particular we had decided to do a haunted hayride called the Gauntlet at Harvest Hill Farm. The night was going well, we were enjoying one cheap scare after another. Until, suddenly the ride in front of us tumbled down a hill and rolled over. I don't recall thinking at all,
just running to a young girl screaming “My leg, my leg”. Her leg mangled, twisted unnaturally and soaked in blood. With a calm I didn't know I had, I introduced myself, asked her name and told her I was going to have to look at her leg. Her leg obviously broken, dressed her leg wound with my scarf. She cried for her mom, she told me how scared she was. How she didn't want to die. She begged me not to leave her alone. So, I sat there with her head propped up on my lap, my jacket covering her, her hand in mine, caressed her head as a mother does with her child and talked to her.
Even through I was a complete stranger she let me in.
In that emergent situation she blindly trusted me, to help her, not leave her, and to be her emotional support. I think it was because at that time she had no one else. We were completely strangers, but we acted as if we had known each other for years.
You asked the question if any particular personality traits helped create this experience. My answer is yes and no. I didn't see it in myself as being instinctually helpful. However, there were a lot of people that night that didn't aid the injured. So yes, I think whatever I found in myself that night let me have this moment with this girl; it aloud me to be there for her, when she needed someone. On the same note, I think because she was young and needed that comfort from an adult she opened up and trust me more than I think someone else would have. Am I proud of that interaction? I would say no because, it was the right thing to do. I don't think it is something to boast about because at that moment I wasn't trying to get attention or do my job. I was doing what I thought I needed to do. I am happy that I helped. I am happy that she is fine and growing
up.
Were their things I wish I had done differently? Yes. In the moment I lied to her, a lot. I told her everything was going to be fine. The leg injury wasn't so bad. That help was coming. That she would see her mom soon. When in reality I knew nothing. All I knew was that I had to keep her talking and calm; that what I did. So, if I could go back and do it again I would. I would give her better answers. I wouldn't lie like I did, but would instead choose my words better.