What It’s Like Working on a Stroke unit 🧠
Being a nurse on a stroke unit is a rollercoaster. One minute you’re rushing a patient to CT with slurred speech, the next you’re passing someone for dysphagia (bedside swallow evaluation).
You learn FAST — NIHSS becomes second nature, and you can spot a stroke alert from down the hall. Recovery isn’t linear, and neither are the emotions — families grieve the “before” version of their loved one.
Working on a stroke unit has taught me real patience since working with such a vulnerable population. I’ve learned to not get frustrated so easily when I can’t understand my aphasic patient. Also, getting a patient post TNK/thrombectomy becomes second nature and not so intimidating with the q15 & q30 neuro exams.
Would you work on a stroke unit or hell no?
#lemon8partner #strokeawareness #nursesoflemon8 #criticalcarenurse
When I started on the stroke unit, one of the biggest lessons I learned, and something I want everyone to understand, is just how quickly things can change, and how vital it is to recognize the signs. Many times, patients arrive, or families call, describing symptoms that are tell-tale signs of a stroke. Things like sudden numbness on one side of the body, or a sudden weakness in an arm or leg. I've seen countless cases where a patient experiences sudden numbness in their face or arm, and initially, they might try to dismiss it. But this isn't something to wait and see about. That's why the B.E. F.A.S.T. acronym is practically our mantra here on the 'BRAIN RESCUE TEAM'. It’s an easy way for anyone, anywhere, to remember the key stroke signs: Balance: Has the person lost their balance, or are they dizzy with no obvious cause? Eyes: Have they suddenly lost vision in one or both eyes, or are they seeing double? Face drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven? Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Speech difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Time to call 911: If you see any of these signs, even if they go away, call emergency services immediatelyfast. When a patient with potential stroke symptoms like sudden confusion stroke or slurred speech arrives at the hospital, every second counts. As soon as a stroke alert is called, it’s a whirlwind of activity. We're rushing them to CT scans to determine the type of stroke, performing rapid assessments like the NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) to gauge severity, and prepping for potential treatments like tPA or thrombectomy. It's incredible how quickly a life can be altered, and our goal is always to minimize damage. It's particularly challenging when we have a stroke patient with confusion in the hospital. Families often tell me how disorienting it is to see their loved one, who was just fine hours ago, now struggling with basic communication or understanding. This confusion, coupled with partial paralysis or aphasia, can be incredibly frustrating for both the patient and their family. My role often extends beyond medical tasks; it's about providing reassurance, explaining the process clearly, and helping families navigate this incredibly difficult time. Understanding these critical symptoms and acting immediatelyfast truly can save not just a life, but also help preserve quality of life post-stroke. Remember, early intervention is paramount.