smtwinfalls, I wouldn't be too troubled by making mistakes, sometimes this worrying can become a self fulfilling prophecy.
We are all human, and we all make mistakes. What's most important, is that we learn from them, and try never to repeat the same mistake twice.
No one comes out of nursing school knowing everything, not by a long shot. Your given the basics in school, you learn on the job. Truth be told, I have been a nurse 16 years, and I'm still learning. I'm very comfortable with my knowledge base, and have excellent assessment skills. I also trust my instincts. I've worked probably 10 years in critical care, but I don't want to have peoples lives in my hands so much anymore, so I'm looking for something else - less intense.
Always follow the five rights of drug administration. Better to double check than give the wrong med.
All nurses have made med errors. If any say otherwise, don't believe them. We are imperfect people in an imperfect profession. Always own up to your mistakes, this will build respect from others, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, you will respect yourself. Don't beat yourself up over an error. BUT DO LEARN FROM IT.
I've made a couple of doozies, one sent a patient to ICU in complete heart block (long story, I ultimately gave the med, but the investigation showed a system error) I felt like schit!! I beat myself up over that for a week. I spoke to the doctor who's patient was given the wrong med, about a week after the incident. I said "I'm the one who gave John Doe the Verapimil." the doctor replied "I read the incident report, while you ultimately gave the med, it was a system problem that won't happen again - anyway, he's doing fine, I'm discharging him today".
I hardly ever make med errors anymore, I don't know if it is because of the few I've made in the past and I've learn not to repeat the situations that led to them, or if I've just become more aware of my "imperfectness" as my career has gone on.
Keep your chin up, trust what you know. Utilitze all sources of assistance, listen to conversations between nurses and doctors, it's amazing what you can learn by just being at the nurses station doing your own work and keeping your ears open. Don't be afraid to look up information, or call pharmacy for advice. Teamwork. If anyone gives you grief for asking questions, just smile politely and say "I'm still learning".
Hold your head high. Good luck and God Bless
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Re: worrying as a new nurse
