fellow nurse, small error...what to do?

I actually have gotten a bruise from the subdermal tb shot.

Me too! But you do mean a subdermal TB skin test?

Most bruises I have seen from injections were subqs. Not too many hematomas from IMs.

Good grief...I'm sure glad I don't work with nurses that report every little thing to the nurse managers. We have lots of agency nurses with different skill levels working with us. As an older, more experienced nurse, I would talk to the nurse who gave the questionable injection and TEACH the proper method and area for the sub-q to be given. Without condemnation or condenscension, I would ensure that if the injection were improperly given, the error wouldn't be repeated. I would then keep the issue between myself and the other nurse. Too often, we work with emotionally needy individuals who thrive on tattling and creating workplace stress in an already stressful occupation. Of course, there are always situations that demand attention from managers to prevent recurrence or patient harm. Use some mature problem solving skills and become a mentor rather than a tormentor. If you're a less experienced nurse and feel you might be challenging an older nurse's practice, tell him or her that you aren't sure where or how this injection should be given. Allow them to explain to you how they give this injection THEN initiate a discussion about best practices. This is less threatening and leads to better relationships with your peers then, in turn, leads to more open communication among team members. It doesn't take long for someone to be tagged as a "tattler" which then leads to isolation and even possibly retaliation. (remember, you aren't perfect either so imagine having your every little oversight addressed in a verbal reprimand by your nurse manager) Of course, it should go without saying that if careless or unsafe practice continues beyond one incident, it becomes a nurse manager's issue.

I am only a nursing student and dont really have any insite other than you should do what you feel comfortable with. If you dont document this it could come back to bite you in the rear. Especially if something comes of the bruise and the patient mentions to a DR. or Super. that she had mentioned it to you. You are not being a tattle tale by protecting yourself. You sound like a great nurse and should not question yourself!!! These people telling you not to tattle arent going to pay your bills when you lose your license!!! (not that you would for something so small but you get the point)!! Good luck!

Aww, BigMar, I truly apologize, for I didn't make myself clear. My comments weren't directed at you, as you were asking for other opinions. If you were someone who always ran to a manager, you would've done that first and never come to a forum for advice. Obviously, you would chart what you observed and what the patient said. How you handled it from there would depend on the approachability of the nurse responsible. Since you didn't see the actual injection, the only thing you know for sure is that the site was wrong. It would be a teachable moment and one the other nurse isn't likely to forget. It would also be an opportunity for her to clean up after herself. If she doesn't want to take responsibility for any of it, then you have to decide from there how to handle it. I'm certainly not suggesting that you cover it up but it's nice when we are allowed to have the opportunity take care of our mistakes. If she is ethical, she will self report but will also have already initiated a plan of action to avoid the error in the future.
Please accept my apologies...
As we support and care about our sister nurses, self reporting becomes less threatening and more of a learning experience. Nurses have a tendency for some reason to eat their own. When we develop rapport with other nurses, they become excellent resources.

I guess I work in a facility were often patients say one thing and it is another. Depending on the cognitive ability of the patient depends on how I would approach the situation. Patients with dementia etc can tell you some odd things. Also is it possible she had another injection there of something else. You may want to check your MAR. I am not sure if I would jump to conclusions. I know you have to cover your butt but you canget into legal hot water to if you accuse and have no hard evidence.