Mathieu Raymond-Tremblay, a nurse at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) shares the challenges and rewards of neuro nursing, as well as a message for fellow nurses.
Is there something people might be surprised to know about nursing?
Sometimes people ask me “what's the worst case you’ve ever had?” The worst cases are never the goriest. There can be blood everywhere in the room, and you're like, well, it's just a Monday, it’s just a Tuesday. The worst cases are the ones that get you emotionally.
What is most challenging about nursing?
Living with the despair when patients get bad news or are having a difficult experience and trying to help get them through that. You share a bit of their burden and that can take a toll. At the same time, it's a challenge that we need to be able to get to another level of our profession. Like everything in life, it gets better over time but, it's important not to minimize the emotional burden.