Please share bad experiences as a new nurse

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I just graduated and ready to take the NCLEX next month. I'm curios to know what type of experiences some of you have had as a new grad. I'm nervous about finding a job and reading about your experiences I'm sure it will help me feel that I'm not alone and that everyone experiences bad moments as a nurse. Thank you for sharing!

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

It helps to concentrate on the GOOD moments,moments in which you really made a difference to a patient or their loved ones.That helps maintain a positive attitude and keeps you in balance.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Personally I don't remember "bad" experiences as a nurse; I rather say "tough" moments, but no one is without endurance in order to handle touch moments of life; it makes us better people, and nurses, IMHO.

Most of the "tough" moments have been teachable moments for the BETTER, whether having a complex pt decompensate and trying to stabilize them throughout most of the shift, and your peers step up to assist you to help promote nursing judgement and critical thinking, all the way to performing CPR on an infant that needs more life saving measures but the parent is not willing to nor visits the child; believes the child is dead, but the child has just been brought back to life.

I have endure these two extremes and everything in between; these experiences have made me a better nurse. :yes:

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Whenever I have a "bad" moment, I tell myself that from then on I have already become a better nurse. Every moment, even the bad, are learning moments that help you grow. There will be plenty of positive moments that reinforce why you became a nurse. Remember nobody is perfect. You can only work your hardest and learn.

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So many days are rough as a new nurse, but it really tops it off when the nurse coming in is just a b*tch...I float to different units and as a new nurse it's tough ...at the end of a hard day I feel accomplished but can't wait to hand off the keys. Recently a nurse had the nerve the make a ****** comment that my handwriting took up too much space on the report sheet......I apologized and explained I work 7-3 and there's a lot of information to fit but she proceeded to be nasty . I had a tough day so I took it to heart but now when I look back I realize she was just rude and it was uncalled for....the fact I made it through that day was amazing, she can have fun relaxing on 3-11

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I agree with ladyfree about the experiences not being bad, more like tough, teachable moments.

You will make mistakes, big or small, they will be made. To err is human. Remember that.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to learn from every mistake and try not to repeat them. Always ask questions if you're not sure of something.

I've only been a nurse for three years, so that "first nursing job" is still cemented in my memory. The first few moths is tough. Try to find someone who is a good influence and is willing to teach to go to.

I promise, you'll learn something new all the time.

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My first death and the only nurse around was a cold, heartless B! Was nervous about calling the family and I wasn't sure about the paperwork...she pretty much left me in the dust.

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Being new and finding out you are the new Charge nurse when you come off orientation...hehehehe...now that is gonna be tough for me and those who work under me until I get my nurse legs under me....I will be passing out flap jackets, life jackets and pacifiers for a while I am sure....hehehehe....got to laugh to keep from crying!

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So many days are rough as a new nurse, but it really tops it off when the nurse coming in is just a b*tch...I float to different units and as a new nurse it's tough ...at the end of a hard day I feel accomplished but can't wait to hand off the keys. Recently a nurse had the nerve the make a ****** comment that my handwriting took up too much space on the report sheet......I apologized and explained I work 7-3 and there's a lot of information to fit but she proceeded to be nasty . I had a tough day so I took it to heart but now when I look back I realize she was just rude and it was uncalled for....the fact I made it through that day was amazing, she can have fun relaxing on 3-11

You were so much nicer than I would have been. I would have quietly taken out another report sheet, wrote the appropriate info to title it, stapled it behind mine and then said, "Here you go! Page two. All the room you need!"...although I've been doing this for a while and I get a little crotchety if someone complains about something so petty. Over time we develop a thicker skin.

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Specializes in Geriatircs/Rural Hospitals.

You have bad days no matter what level of nursing you are at. Just remember to keep a sense of humour and a positive outlook.

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haha, loved this.. very funny:up:

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

I try to focus on the things I have done well and my good days. We are always learning something. My first med error, I was in tears. Actually, I had a couple of them. I did what needed to be done which also included figuring out how it happened. You can be sure that those mistakes will not happen again and have not happened since. As was said, each bad or tough experience makes us a better nurse. Learn from them and keep on nursing.

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