When will this stop?

Andy Droid · May 12, 2012

I'm not in the medical field, but I know where I work, it's the folks that treat it like "just a a job" (as in the clock rolls over to quitting time, they don't give the place a second thought untill it's time to get ready to go to work the next day)... those are the folks that usually make stupid mistakes.

Second guessing yourself is fine to extent, as long as it doesn't start to interfere with your life ( as in wake up in the middle of your sleeping time and have to go in / call in to make sure it was done)

Just my $0.02.

sauconyrunner · May 12, 2012

I'm a new nurse at the end of my orientation, on a unit I've been on (as a tech) for about 6 years. Often, I find myself coming home and overthinking everything I did for my shift... did I forget to chart that? No... I did. Did I do this? I feel like I constantly second guess myself after my shift. Is this normal? My preceptors and all of the nurses have nothing but good things to say so it's not like I'm incompetent or rushing through things. Hopefully it's just a 'new nurse' thing that fades with time....

It's "sort of" a new nurse thing. As you get more comfortable you will feel less worried about those things. But I admit, even after over ten years when I got home from a shift the events of the day would wash over me. And occasionally, I would wonder, "did I waste that med with someone?" "Did I actually chart the foley or just put it in?" It's normal. and it does get less worrisome!

CompleteUnknown · May 12, 2012

I've been doing this for a long time, and I still tend to go over and over things in my head unless I make a determined effort to put the work day behind me. I think some of it is a personality thing; some people are better than others at letting it all go when they walk out the door.

The other thing I still do is wake up in the middle of the night thinking 'oh no! I forgot to document such-and-such'.

It's all pretty normal, and it does get better. :)

Bortaz, MSN, RN · May 12, 2012

It'll stop next Thursday. Relax, pal.

PinkNBlue, BSN, RN · May 12, 2012

LOL Thanks guys.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 12, 2012

I'm 3 years in as a nurse and sometimes I still do a mental "did I remember to..." Most of the time I did and I feel silly I checked. Occasionally I didn't and I thank God that I checked.

I agree with the others...relax, it'll improve with time. It may never fully go away but it'll get a lot better :)

amoLucia · May 12, 2012

Dear PinkNBlue - You are experiencing an acute case of 'new nurse-itis'. As the other experienced posters have diagnosed, like other '-itis'es', this too shall pass. It's normal, as prevalent as the common cold. You'll recover.:loveya: Good luck in your new career, personally & professionally.

PinkNBlue, BSN, RN · May 12, 2012

Thanks everyone.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · May 14, 2012

WOO HOO!!! you may not be aware of it, but this means you are fully engaged in the process of achieving competency. In 'learning world', we know that real learning doesn't occur by just doing something or reading about it -- you also have to "reflect" on the process. This is what actually differentiates expert clinicians from the so-so ones.

This is also called metacognition (thinking about thinking) when you mentally review the choices you made, and work through various scenarios in which you could have done something different to achieve a better outcome. Experts in all fields do this, but it has absolutely been proven to be a deciding factor in the development of expert clinicians. It takes 'effortful thinking' to achieve and maintain expertise. It'as not an easy journey, but it seems like you are well on your way.

sharpeimom · May 14, 2012

it can be scary to work without having your instructor nearby. you begin to pick up confidence as your experience grows.

it will become easier and easier until one day...suddenly... when a patient or family member calls "nurse!," you'll just

automatically look up and ask, "may i help you?" without looking over your shoulder for your instructor.

i started off on an ortho surgical floor and it wasn't a good fit in several ways. after six months, i applied for and

was hired in the psych department. it was starting completely over again, but i loved it! lots to learn but it seemed

to come naturally this time.

you'll be fine! the mental checklists never completely stop (or should they) but you will become less obsessed by them.