I probably shouldn't post this, because I am afraid of the bad comments and such, but I had to talk to discuss my situation. First off, I feel terrible about what I did, and I learned another valuable lesson in the world of nursing....
So here is what happened. I had a patient being discharged with a need for insulin teaching. She was prescribed Lantus and regular insulin sliding scale. Well, guess what I did, guys? I taught her to do sliding scale using Lantus. Here is how this happened. On the discharge orders, the doctor wrote the order for Lantus and then right underneath it, the sliding scale for the regular insulin. I have to admit that all I know about Lantus is that it is a long-lasting insulin and it is newer. I tried to look it up in drug books before teaching, but the hospital had older books without Lantus in it. The nurses were pressuring me to hurry and discharge her, and I didn't exactly have the friendliest charge. My med nurse just wanted nothing to do with me. I figured that was OK, since it couldn't be that hard to read discharge instructions from a piece of paper. Well, I figured the doctor had ordered the sliding scale for some reason for Lantus and left it at that. I didn't question it and as a result, I misinterpreted the order and ultimately misinformed the patient.
For this act, I was talked to by an instructor and I am in the process of being written up. I feel like crap. I had been feeling so good all quarter since things just really seemed to click for me this year, but that is gone. I have no confidence anymore and am really questoning if I should continue this program. This woman could have been really hurt by my actions. I am only in clinical 2 days a week with only two patients. What in the heck! If I were a real nurse working full time that is even more risk for error.
So, when I got home this afternoon, I cried because of my stupidity. I tried to explain the situation to my husband and he doesn't understand. He thinks that it must be the doctor's fault, or the charge's fault for not supervising me. But, I was the last person to talk to the patient, and it is my fault.
Well, this is the end of my tale for now. I learned many invaluable lessons that I regrettably wish I didn't have to learn in this way. Thanks all for reading my post. For all those who are sitting there shaking your head and thinking, "now, that was stupid" no offense taken because I would probably do the same if it didn't happen to me. Well, gotta study for a test and write up my clinical paperwork.