A Stupid Mistake

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I made an error in judgment as a triage phone nurse and it made a child's blood sugar drop and he had to go to the ER. I just found out and it happened a week ago. My gut said to send him in, but I got scared and backtracked after looking at some resources. I know virtually knowing about pediatrics and I'm trying to learn... but I feel so stupid for it happening. It's not even for me feeling bad, it feels like I've done something so incompetent that I just don't deserve to work anymore. I held it in all shift and then I got home... I could not stop and cannot stop thinking about the child and how clear it was to send him in after looking at it. I'm scared for myself yes, but I told the baby is doing okay. I just hope I don't make another call like that... and hope I can continue working. My manager said to get , I assume in case and because I need it for work anyways. I just feel stupid stupid stupid...

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Accidents happen. Just learn from your mistakes and dont let it happen again. Its ok :) The good news is that the child is ok.

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We've all made mistakes; I can't even tell the list of stupid calls I've made because the list is so long. Anyone who says they haven't is a liar, plain and simple. I bet you'll think about it closely next time! Just make sure to learn from it.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I've made more mistakes in my career than I can count.

Some of them were downright horrible. Some of them

made me feel like I needed to hang it up for good.

The child is okay. It will be okay.

is not a bad thing to have. But you may never need

to use it.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Did you learn from this? Clearly, you did. The baby will be ok and you will never make the same mistake again. Experience always includes failure. Minimize the risk of how great by continually improving, consulting with those who have more experience and staying current in your specialty.

Most of all, forgive yourself. If not, this will get in the way of your growth as a nurse.

Best wishes.

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