advice, help, anything.

[tracylou]

I am a third level LVN/LPN student and today I had the most gut wrenching and stomach twisting experience. I was adminstering insulin to pt and as I was pulling the needle out he jerked his arm up and I ended up sticking my thumb. I immediately finished what i was doing discarded the needle and proceeded to the bathroom where I washed my hands and milked my thumb. No blood came out, which made me question whether or not the needle broke through my skin so I decided not to report it because I was so shocked, and unsure of myself. I'm one nervous wreck at the moment and I have no clue what to do. I have no idea what this pt's medical hx is which is even more nerve wrecking. I'm so scared and paranoid. I've spent half the day online reading stats on fingersticks until finally I found this site and decided to join to get some sort of advice on other nurses experiences with this matter. Anything would help! Thanks.

[PRAETORIAN1009]

you need to report this incident to your nursing school instructor as soon as possible. Its not the end of the world. Accidents happen. You need to consider your safety when dealing with this.

[webbiedebbie]

Yes...please understand that this should be reported to your nursing instructor.

It doesn't mean you did anything wrong. Things like this happen...but if not reported and you get infected, you will have an even tougher time trying to get it taken care of.