In the last few weeks, we’ve had some non-accidental traumas (that is an injury purposefully inflicted on a child – also known as child abuse). One kid was declared brain dead and the team decided to wait 72 hours before ending life support. In these 72 hours, the child is brain dead, but we are keeping them alive with a ventilator, medications, and other support systems. The ventilator pushes air in and out of their body, acting as their lungs, to keep the rest of their organs perfusing. One of the nurses, gave this kid a bath on their shift. It surprised me, that this nurse made the time to treat this kid with the same compassionate care as if they were alive.
Working in the ICU, we experience a lot of death, but the more difficult deaths are the ones that are non-accidental.
One of the ways I was taught to cultivate moral resilience, and combat moral distress is to acknowledge the grief > engage in activities that give you meaning > Eat, exercise, sleep > Find and express gratitude >
Listen to something nice – i.e. the wind blowing
Feel something nice – i.e. a soft fleecy blanket, pet a dog
Smell something nice – i.e. coffee, a fresh flower
Look at something nice – i.e. the multitude of green colors in the foresty trees, the mountain views of the Olympic Cascades, the ocean water
Touch something nice – i.e. the softness of lip balm on your lips