Jenny Rodela, a nursing major at the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), found herself putting her skills to use in a real-life emergency situation. While working at an HEB store, Rodela noticed a co-worker lying on the floor next to a fallen ladder. Reacting quickly, she approached the unconscious man and assessed his condition.
"I looked over my shoulder and realized there was a ladder laying on the ground," Rodela explained. "I had to look twice before realizing that next to the ladder there was a person laying on the floor. I reacted quickly and went up to the employee who was lying on the floor."
Rodela discovered that the man was not breathing properly, as his skin had turned purple, indicating a lack of oxygen. She immediately contacted the store managers and checked for a pulse, but there was none. Without hesitation, she called 911 and began administering CPR.
Administering CPR without the presence of a nursing school supervisor was a new experience for Rodela. However, she knew she was doing it correctly when she felt the man's chest crack. "My professors taught us that in real life, a patient's chest has to crack in order to know that the compressions are deep enough," she explained.
After a couple of minutes, paramedics arrived and took over CPR. Rodela later learned that the person who started CPR before she arrived had played a significant role in saving the man's life.
Reflecting on the incident, Rodela expressed her gratitude for her nursing school professors, who had prepared her for such situations. She also realized that she had chosen the right career path. "I love to help people. Helping people has always been a part of me," she said.
Rodela's quick thinking and decisive actions demonstrate the importance of medical training, even for those who are still studying. Her experience serves as a reminder of the vital role that nurses play in emergency situations.