A Bad, Bad Day

[misslo]

Today I don't know what happened. I am a float CNA. I am only on call (contingent) and have no set hours. I got called in to work 1st shift today. (I work in a hospice residence) Normally I get called in to work 2nd or 3rd shift. I felt a sense of being overwhelmed early in shift, but shook it off due to not having worked many 1st shifts. Most of my residents have foleys, in fact all but one. For some reason, I kept thinking that he had one as well. I checked on him several times throughout the morning, set him up for breakfast and figured I would do his morning care after he ate, as I didn't have much time before the trays came out. He wouldn't eat and looked so uncomfortable, but he doesn't communicate well at all, as the cancer has spread to his brain. I wasn't able to get to his care right after breakfast, but thought it would be ok, after all, I thought he had a foley in. I was so busy trying to keep up with all of the needs of the other residents, I only popped in to check on him and kept planning to do his care as soon as I got a break. His daughter came in and was so mad. He normally gets on the commode first thing in the morning to have a bm. I was unaware of that (I overlooked that on his care plan). She asked me if any care was done on him yet and I told her no, that I was going to do it right now. I was in sheer horror when I realized that he did not have a foley and had been sitting in a wet brief. He was in tears when I walked into the room, and I thought it was because he missed his family. It was because his brief was wet and he was waiting to be put on the pot so he could have a bowel movement. I felt, and still feel so horrible. We got him up, put him on the commode and he did his business, then felt so much better. We washed him up and gave him his lunch and he ate like there was not tomorrow. What have I done?? I am working there to make people feel more comfortable not to make them uncomfortable! I was unorganized, overwhelmed and had just plain old screwed up. I cried when I left his room. I told the charge RN what I had done and just couldn't help but cry. She assured me that no harm was done to him, but still, I am having a hard time not kicking myself over the few hours of discomfort that I caused. I cried all the way home today.

How can I be a good RN if I screw up like this as an aide? I feel so lousy.

MissLo

[leslie :-D]

aw missy, i think you are being way too hard on yourself.:icon_hug:

but, this does make my point, which is why it's so important for aides to get report on their pts.

the aides i work with, wait at the nurse's station for me until they get report.

i understand their time crunches and they can start working on pts they have already cared for.

but even then, they know i will approach them to give them updates from day before.

let it go, move forward.

your heart is in the right place, and dare say these pts are lucky to have someone as sensitive as you.

leslie

[Acosmo27]

you have to be a little easier on yourself. IMO it was an honest mistake, nothing you did intentional. You had good intentions and thats what matters. I understand how you may feel because Im the same way. I really take things to heart when they dont go as smoothly as I plan. BUT, give yourself a break.. you live, you learn. Im sure you will not do it again, and thats what counts.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

i'm surprised that the unit you work on doesn't give report to the cna's. i think that would have prevented alot of what happened. don't feel so bad though, everyone makes mistakes. the fact that you actually care is enough for me to see that you will make a great nurse.

[RNrural]

Keep your chin up, you will be a great nurse. None of us is perfect and your distress over what happened lets me know your heart is in the right place! Those who admit their mistakes, and do their best to correct them are quality care givers. Just remember today and let it make you great at your job!

AKA...CNArural

Renada...brand spankin new RN!

[shellsgogreen]

i'm sorry you had such a rough day:icon_hug:

and i think you're going to be a great rn -

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Mistakes happen. You did not mean any harm to the patient and your heart was in the right place. And, when we make mistakes, it helps us to become better practitioners. Apologize to the involved parties and take it as a learning experience to be a phenomenal nurse. Heck, I know plenty of nurses and aides that would not have cared, and some of their mistakes were totally their faults. At least you demonstrate empathy and dedication!

[Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN]

The only question I had was I hope you are planning to go to nursing school. You would make a terrific nurse. It was an honest mistake. The fact that you were upset about what you did was plenty good for you to be a caring and campassionate nurse.

[misslo]

Thank you. You all are so kind and have made me feel better. I do still have that "nagging" feeling of ill, but I'm hoping that it will go away with a little sleep. It's amazing how much stressing out can tire you.

MissLo

[MrsMommaRN]

right now it may not seem like it, but what happend is really not horrible. you were thrown into a routine that you are not used to. you provided the best possible care to those that needed you. it is a wonderful thing that you are so caring about your residents. :heartbeat

[shelly304]

Oh, I had tears reading this post. This was me, same situation, when I was a CNA in nursing school. A very kind nurse told me what everyone here has already told you. She also said that as long as I kept my heart in the same place, she had no reservations about my being a good nurse. I have and I am!

Get a good nights sleep and be kind to yourself in the following days.

Your patients are blessed to have you.

[dekatn]

Here is a big hug(((( ))))) you deserve it. Tomorrow will be a better day and I would let you take care of me anytime!!!