New RN 3 Mistakes in first month on Job :(

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2012

Stop.

Write down and really think about your mistakes. This will help you self reflect.

Why did u make the mistakes? Was it stress? Too busy? If u gave 2 narcs, were you not following correct procedure?

You really need to get ur work right in ur mind b4 commencing caring for patients. Do u use a cheat sheet so you have a clear picture of your patients and their needs, then stick to a plan? Do you let patients & other staff manipulate ur time and energy? Perhaps you need to be more forthright with people.

When giving meds do you rush or do you go thru in ur mind all your checks b4 giving them?

I would talk to the DON as it sounds like ur trying to do too much perhaps, and forgetting important things. We all make mistakes, but you don't want this to be a pattern that is going to plague your career from this day forth. Also ask for some tips from senior nurses re medications and managing time. Your 2 biggest duties as a RN will be time and people management, and that takes time to learn.

joe17 · Jan 1, 2012

We Learn from our mistakes. This will help you become a great nurse in the future I remember having lots of that in my early years. Of nursing Just don't do it everyday. Happy new year mate.

teboz · Jan 4, 2012

I didn't read all the posts, but I figure if this is repeat advise than it can only help. I'm not sure how you organize your day on the floor, but the fact on the matter is....Nurses have to remember almost more than is humanly possible and react to immediate changes without skipping a beat. For me this would be impossible without a 'brain'. I actually have a whole binder that I carry around on the floor while I work. I have divider tabs for each assigned patient. I use different colored highlighters to prioritize certain tasks. My binder is my 'brain' and I couldn't be the nurse I am without it! Also as a new nurse....its true unfortunately that nurse will eat their young But if you are unsure ask, find someone to ask, get help! I don't care if the other nurse rolls her eyes and acts like you are dumber than a box of rocks.....If you ask anyways than that means you are a better nurse because you care more about the patient getting the care they need than admitting you are unsure. Yes, we went to school and learned a lot, and passed the boards, but we learn a lot more that we ever did in school when we get on the floor. And if you need more orientation, just tell the DON. And if she cares about having great staff, she will support up! Chin up! You are a great nurse! I know because you are asking for help here, so just keep it up!

treeye · Jan 4, 2012

I am a new nurse and I understand how you feel. During school, I got the wrong IV antibiotics, (should have checked it before I take it away from the cart) , my teachers wrote me up and I have to redo an entire medication competency. Now I realized that this actually does me more good than harm. You can't be more careful when passing meds. There is anther time that I forgot to bring a disposable pad in when I bathed a pt in bed with the help of one of my classmates. My classmate made such a big deal about this matter that I was reported to the teacher and got written up too. I agree that some nurses are not the greatest people on earth, but you really need to stick to it. Be nice and help other people when you can. Find someone nice and someone you can trust to be your mentor, ask questions when you're not sure. Look up the medication and treatment books beforehand. and brush up with seven rights in medication pass.

Good luck.

nursemaReN · Jan 4, 2012

Don't stress it! You're brand spankin' new and from what it seems like you're taking care of multiple patients? unless you're in an ICU setting, I'm not sure. I've only been a nurse for about 2.5 years, and I just started my job in the CCU last January. I will tell you this. I am still scared to death to come to work every day. I never know what I'm going to walk into, what kind of cattiness is going to be on my unit that day or who is going to be my neighbor next door to help me incase my patient codes.

I will say this though. It DOES get easier! Give yourself 6 months or so ( i know it seems like forever) but you'll get more comfortable. You're still figuring out what being a nurse is! that's what your first year is all about. the second year is figuring out how to be a good nurse! You can do it!

Now, with that being said about your narc issue, You have to stay firm and say what is what. if you're in doubt get a doctor to come into the room to speak with the patient and then go from there. I've seen lots of nurses give a second dose then go pester the doctor to give them another order. Dont' do that.

I've also seen two separate nurses on two separate occasions infuse a bag of heparin (yes, it was team checked) in THIRTY (3-0) minutes! They got nothing but a slap on the hand and had to do a medication saftey class for the rest of our unit.

You got it man, you can do this! Just worry about yourself and be the best nursie that you can be. Remember, this is YOUR journey!

FutureRN_NP · Jan 6, 2012

Thanks for the advise. I work in Rehap/LTC. Physicians do not come to the floor everyday. Some days you will see ARNPs seating down writing tones of orders. You have to manage giving meds on time, charting done, tx done, plus new admit, pts howling for PRN meds, attitude CNAs, you name it. We respond over 20 pts. After counseling, I would not dare to make this mistake again. I will tell you this right now, I will learn to just be heartless to protect myself. If it takes an hour to get a call back from a doctor to get an okay for additional med then be it. I don't take narc more lightly ever since the talk. What I am learning right now is be more confidence and not let the other nurses walk all over me. That is the hardest part right now. I feel inferior even to the LPNs. I respect them because they are way more experience than me.