Is this my fault? Am I right to feel mad?

LadysSolo · Sep 3, 2016

You say "oh, I'm sorry, I must have missed it" about the sticker on the flow sheet and let it drop. The MRI - are we talking about the person going within the first hour or two if the oncoming shift? Then you probably should have done it. If later on, it would have been a courtesy (but not required, although to get along on a unit we try to be courteous) to start it at least. So if an early MRI, I would have said "Oops, sorry, I missed it." If you make a mistake that inconveniences the oncoming shift, always better to "own" it. If takes away their ammunition to hassle you. When are you not going to forget? We all make mistakes - we are human. But we are all part of a team too, and we pick up the slack that others forget or drop.

cirqul8r · Sep 3, 2016

No, you're not stupid. You're new. Yes, you'll forget things (heck, after almost 30 years I forget things). As long as you don't keep repeating the same mistakes (or forgetting the same things) you'll be okay. You are still learning. Sounds like she's frustrated too. She could probably address things a little less critically ('half asleep'?).

Mostly, don't take it personally. I know, easier said than done.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2016

Hi everyone. I am a new grad nurse (been working since 2 months now). Im feeling quite frustrated right now. Just finished a shift set and I have been giving report to the same nurse whose also finishing her shift set. Anyways, the second day I came back for my shift, I was ready to get report from this nurse. Instead of focusing on the report, she starts telling me how I did not put a name sticker on one page of the flowsheets. I obviously know that I need to put the sticker on both pages (as I did for all other 3 patients). And she said "maybe you were half asleep". I just coouldnt argue with her because I feel okay yes its my fault but I have been doing this for all patients since 2 months. And now coming to today, one of my patients was going to an MRI so I was giving her report and she asked if I did the pre-checklist. Now, I know that I should have done this but I just didnt put two and two together and get it done. I told her the same. And she says "its just to be courteous you should do it..." and goes on and on about it. I was thinking like hey lady you have been nursing for 30+ years and I am still new and learning. The thing that makes me mad is that she's painting me as this "lazy nurse" and I know I am not that. I will go out of my way to answer call bells and help other nurses. And then she says "when are you not going to forget? When I remind you?". Im seriously feeling so frustrated and mad. Am I honestly just a stupid nurse? Arent we supposed to forget things and learn when we are new??
Thanks for reading. I guess I just need to vent.

No, I don't think you should be "mad." Frustrated, perhaps. But when you make mistakes, you need to be able to tolerate constructive criticism. Not saying you need to put up with anything which qualifies as verbal abuse, but yeah, you need to accept that when you make newbie mistakes, they will be pointed out to you, because that's how you learn. You don't learn if no one mentions you forgot to do x,y, or z because by definition of "forgot," you don't know you messed up. The worst thing you can do as a new nurse is to develop a defensive attitude and posture.

Every time you make a mistake and graciously own it, you get that much better as a nurse. You will make fewer and fewer of these errors as time goes by. It takes a good year or two to really come into your own, and many more years after that to become highly competent. The longer I worked, the more respect I had for all of the knowledge my experienced coworkers possessed. I really wanted to get to that point someday, and being annoyed when they pointed out my mistakes was not going to get me to that place.

Good luck in your career.

Allgood2016, LPN, LVN · Sep 5, 2016

No problem with venting. You have a right to. The other nurse may need reminding that: 1) you are a new nurse;

2) you have only been on the job 2 months (statistcs prove it takes 3 months to get the hang of things 100%);

And, 3) her comments and going on & on are both unprofessional and rude.

Hang in there. I know you will be a good nurse.

(BTW-I've been a nurse 40 years.)

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2016

When someone is clubbing you.. you must take their club away.For the chart sticker just go get one and place it where it belongs and say,so sorry now it is done. For the MRI sheet just say,Oh yes when I am done here I will get that done.Thank the nurse for telling you and say something to the effect,One day soon I will be able to be be as thorough as you are!.Try these simple things first before you let yourself get upset about it and remember all you can control is yourself and the actions you take.