Page 28 of Broken Dreams

“We need that IV in now, as I plan to order a CT scan of his head, too. And he’ll need IV contrast for that.” Nick frowned, peering at the older man’s arms. “Doesn’t look like he has great peripheral access. I think it would be better to place a central line.”

She thought that was a good plan. “I'll call the radiology procedure area to see if they have an empty room and someone available to place the central line.”

“I can replace the line, so don't worry about that.” Nick spoke with confidence.

“Are you sure?” She didn’t know if placing a central line was part of a hospitalist's duties or not.

“Yes, I’m credentialed to place central lines.”

She nodded. Obviously, Mr. krantz needed care, and if Nick was willing to place the line, she wasn't about to complain. Besides, there was no sign of Roland. And the sooner Mr. Krantz got the care he needed, the better.

“Can you help prepare Mr. Krantz for the central line placement?” Nick met her gaze. “I need the kit, drapes, and a new IV bag and tubing.”

“Of course.” She smiled, trying to reassure Mr. Krantz as he shot her a worried gaze. “I’ll get the supplies right away.”

She opened the central line kit and set out the supplies for Nick to use. As he bathed Mr. Krantz’s skin with the antiseptic solution she prepared a brand new IV. As Nick attempted to place the line, she logged into the computer, and began completing some of her paperwork.

But after just ten minutes Nick stepped away from Mr. Krantz's bedside, pushing the procedure table aside with his foot. “I'm sorry Mr. Krantz, I'm going to get someone to assist in getting this line in. I'll be right back. Are you doing, okay? “

“Yeah. Fine.” Mr. Krantz's voice was faint.

She logged off the computer and went to his side. “I'm here Mr. Krantz. Do you need anything?”

“My hip hurts.”

She nodded then met Nick's gaze. “How about giving him some pain medication?”

“Sure. Does he have any ordered?”

“Yes, he does.” She had just accessed his record and the Percocet order was still valid.

“Great. Give him whatever he already has ordered.”

She ducked out of Mr. Krantz's room to head over to the medication dispensing machine located on every nursing unit. After withdrawing the medication, she returned to Mr. Krantz’s bedside. Mr. Krantz gratefully swallowed the pain med.

A moment later a second physician entered the room. He introduced himself as Dr. Jericho. She was surprised when Dr. Jericho had the central line placed in less than five minutes.

Nick returned to the room. “I submitted the orders for the radiology procedures. The transport team will be up here any minute.”

“Sounds good.” She gently patted Mr. Krantz's arm, the pain medicine already seeming to work as he smiled at her. As Nick had promised, the transport team arrived a few minutes later.

After Mr. Krantz was wheeled down to radiology, she followed Nick to the physician’s workroom. The space was empty, and the closed expression on his face told her he was still upset at not being able to place the line.

“Hey, it's no big deal. I'm sure he's a difficult access patient.”

“That’s not it.” He glared at her. “Didn't you see how easy it was for Jericho to insert the line?”

She shrugged, not understanding what his problem was. “In my experience, some catheters go in easy, and some don't. I've had trouble placing an IV, only for another nurse to get it in right away. It's not that big of a deal.”

“The problem wasn't with Mr. Krantz. The problem was with me.” Nick opened and closed his hands. “My dexterity wasn't good enough to place one measly central line. I guess that's proof that returning to surgery is out of the question.” His expression turned grim. “For good.”

She didn't know what to say. She couldn't imagine what she would do if someone told her she couldn't be a nurse anymore.

But, then again, Nick was still a doctor. Just because he couldn't do surgery, didn't mean there was no hope of having a medical career.

“Can you treat trauma patients from a medical perspective while staying out of surgery?”

“No.” His denial was swift.

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