Needle Stick Injury - beating myself up

[LaceyRN12]

I was drawing blood with a butterfly needle and accidentally stuck myself. The patient said she doesn't have HIV or hepatitis. Her blood was tested and it confirmed she was negative for both of those. My blood results still haven't come back for some reason. But she's negative, so that's good. Therefore, I didn't have to take the prophylaxis meds. I'm just really damn bothered by the fact that it even happened. I'm beating myself up about it. My mom is also a nurse. I tell her everything about my life, but I can't tell her this because it will freak her out. She's a worrier and I don't want to worry her at all. I know I shouldn't even be worried, but I am. Why?? Can you make me feel better...?

[pinkiepinkPN]

I was drawing blood with a butterfly needle and accidentally stuck myself. The patient said she doesn't have HIV or hepatitis. Her blood was tested and it confirmed she was negative for both of those. My blood results still haven't come back for some reason. But she's negative so that's good. Therefore, I didn't have to take the prophylaxis meds. I'm just really damn bothered by the fact that it even happened. I'm beating myself up about it. My mom is also a nurse. I tell her everything about my life, but I can't tell her this because it will freak her out. She's a worrier and I don't want to worry her at all. I know I shouldn't even be worried, but I am. Why?? Can you make me feel better...?[/quote']

You're worried because there a keeraaapton of drama about needle stick injuries...so when it happens, as it does often, we freak. Likely you have nothing to worry about, but at least you'll be that much more careful from now on.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Chill. This too shall pass. Negative means negative. Say ten Hail Florences, and go forth and sin no more.

[LaceyRN12]

Thank you guys for your input. I am feeling better about the whole thing. I've talked to other nurses and they all say the same thing has happened to them like 2-3 times atleast. The patient's results were negative and so were mine. Whew.

[wirehead]

Since you know her blood work is good and your health wasn't jeopardized, then use this as a learning experience to avoid future accidents. I don't know about your mother, but a lot of old school nurses used their scrub pockets as sharps containers and needle sticks are way more common then you think, but they just often go unreported. It's very difficult to transmit a communicable disease through a needle stick, unless you stick yourself and push the plunger in. Glad you're ok.