[meownsmile]

I completely agree with the post regarding being guests at the facilities for clinicals.

I think the problem with reporting her now is that it looks entirely like you are looking for payback for the CNA asking for an appology. Best to do what you have to to get things back on track and let it pass quietly.

[CHATSDALE]

do what you have to do to put this behind you...giving an apology will not kill you and apparently the instructor was in a bind...you are working under her license when you are in the hospital..this is not a minor point . just wait until you have others working under you that you are responsible for their actions you will understand the rock/hard place that this instructor was in

[KyPinkRN]

Originally Posted by ktwlpn

I don't think the cna violated any kind of privacy agreement (like HIPA) by discussing your needle stick.That applies to your patients-not you....You have to realize that any time any of us make a med error,stick ourselves-etc everyone in the facility hears about it-same goes for nursing school.You better believe that all of the floor staff is talking about all of the students.Everyone talks-it's human nature.They were discussing how it happened-that's how we learn not to make the same mistake.In my opinion you should not have called the cna -you DID "harrass" her and I think you do owe her an apology.You over-stepped completely-it was not appropriate for you to call her and scold or threaten her for talking about the incident and that's how she must have perceived your call .If she had not talked about it someone else certainly would have done so.You are going to need to thicken your skin a bit if you want to survive or you are not going to be a happy camper.It does not matter if she is also in nursing school-at the time of your incident she was working as a cna on staff-you were not in a student to student situation...You need to get along with the staff at your clinicals.Clinical time is hard to get-a situation like this could escalate and your program could end up loosing it's place at that facility ...Again-the purpose of the privacy agreement you signed is to PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF THE PATIENS-NOT YOU....Apologize to the CNA (forget for a moment that she is also a student) and then get over it....You did make a mistake and you will make plenty more as we all do....They are never kept secret....

What about talking about someone who obviously made a mistake... it's not the whole hospital's or the whole school's business if she stuck herself. I call that harrassment. Just because people talk doesn't mean that they should. I don't believe she was out of line in confronting this CNA in what ever capacity she was in when this incident took place. If more people stood up for themselves in these situations maybe nursing would be a more cohesive profession to work in. As it is it's every person for themselves and you have to watch your back or some one will get you. Whether or not there is a valid reason.

[buddiage]

I don't think you should've worried about it.

You aren't the only nurse who has accidently stuck themselves, it's not like your face is on the wall of shame or anything. I also would not have called her to tell her how lucky she was that I wasn't reporting her, etc.

Do not raise heck- as has been said, we students are guests.

I've seen just a small amount of people that I wouldn't want to work with (cranky nurses in an otherwise nice group) and I have a feeling that is just the way it is no matter where we are and what line of work for that matter.

[ginger58]

Thanks so much for all the feedback. Can anyone tell me...
I thought "harrassment" means "the repeated taunting" of another person.
About gossip - I thought the privacy agreement we all have to sign is as important as HIPPA.REPLY:
I'm feeling like this whole incident is being blown out of proportion. Hospitals can be very cattie places so when things happen they get talked about in some instances.
I admire you for your direct approach because "talking to the person directly" is always stressed. This was a student to student issue. There are people that can own up to their gossiping and apologize and then there are those that blame the victim. As the victim I wouldn't be the one apologizing!
This isn't a HIPPA violation. But you have to realize that there are just people like her that feel important denegrating others.

[RebeccaJeanRN]

Since your fellow student was acting in role of CNA in the capacity of the hospital, then really (and you seem to know this now) you should have spoken to her supervisor if you wanted to address it. But here is the problem: all you have is heresay (plus some common sense telling you that she HAD to be the source of rumors), so you really would only be 'reporting' an opinion that this person said something (unless someone else is willing to stick out her neck in support). I just think that you made too much of it. Are you going to call everyone who ever says anything bad about you? Most of us would be on the phone 24 X 7... Anyway...if no greater risk than insulin was your exposure, then I'd count my blessings that I didn't have a bloodborne risk as well and consider this a valuable lesson. Just thinking...is it possible that the real problem is that you are mostly just embarrassed and ticked off to have had a witness, who happened to be a not-so-nice blabbermouth as well ? I agree that she is an annoying little (big?) twit for talking about you, and it always irks me that all this gossip stuff is a part of nursing school, but I say live & learn and laugh as much as you can. Sometimes the more you make of it, the worse YOU look...that's one of the ironies of life. But an ever-present sense of humor and constant attitude of professionalism & kindess will ensure that you survive all the annoying little twits out there!

[texas_lvn]

Originally Posted by Diahni

I suspect I should report her to keep it all above board.
Diahni

Just be careful. It may seem that now you are reporting her out of spite/revenge and not out of other things.

[firstyearstudent]

I don't know if it was right or wrong for you to call this gal or what you should do. I just wanted to say I am really sorry you got stuck and that you had someone telling other people about it.

[Miss_Chybil]

We must learn to let go, to give up, to make room for the things we have prayed for and desired. - Charles Fillmore

[sweetpea123]

Well, I gotta agree with you...the other student/CNA shouldn't have talked. It should have been your choice to share/not to share what happened. However, there are a lot of people out there who love drama and will use gossip to make themselves the center of attention. I don't believe in growing "thick skin" but I do believe you can learn to alter your own perception of these situations. Instead of burning up over her talking about your business, own up to the error and tell everyone who will listen what really happened and how you hope they can learn from your mistake. Hopefully, your labs will be normal and this needlestick will not be a HUGE deal in the grand scheme of things. I don't think you owe her an apology for calling her at home. She turned this into a school-related (not employment related) situation the minute SHE started talking about it AT SCHOOL. But, in order to put it behind you, why not just write a letter apologizing for contacting the student directly and not using the appropriate reporting chain for privacy violations? Word it so you're not apologizing to the student directly...you're just apologizing for not reporting her to your faculty.
Good luck! And in regards to the needlestick, I'll tell you what a friend/mentor told me when I made my first (and only so far!!!) med error..."You know what the best thing about this is?...You'll never do it again!"