Advice for new nurses

[IknowIcanRN]

I am a recent graduate from a BSN program, and I passed NCLEX a few weeks ago. I find that, although I did really well in my classes, I always manage to make some stupid mistake when I go to the hospital. I was shadowing a nurse the other day on a unit with potential to hire. The nurse told me to get a patient's vitals, so I did. Later, she (very nicely) told me that a pink armband means not to use that arm. I finished in July, so I am a little rusty, I realize. It is just so frustrating to me to find myself doing this. Is this normal? I am hoping that going through orientation and getting back into the hospital on a regular basis will eliminate some of this. Has this happened to anyone else?

[iNurseUK, RN]

Happened to each and every one of us. Different hospitals always have different protocols.

You will be fine. Go get 'em :)

[ktwlpn, LPN]

hmm-She certainly could have used that as a teaching moment instead of letting you go on and potentially harm the patient. She really should have asked you if you knew what the pink bracelet meant and told you when you said you did not.

[RNandRRT]

It's both part new RN and part new place of work. Each facility, and then down even to each unit, has their own policies and protocols for everything. It's just a matter of learning all of the intricacies of everything.

For example, in our ICU, severe sepsis screening occurs every shift. I've had 2 patients meet the criteria. MD was notified and a set of severe sepsis orders was left in the chart. After 4 months I learned last week that there is also a sticker that goes on the front of the chart that states they have met the criteria, and the RN is to date and sign the sticker. Who knew?

It will come with continuous practice.

[IknowIcanRN]

Thanks everybody! You all made me feel so much better. I love allnurses.com!

[Minnie2006]

Don't be too hard on yourself. There is so much to think about and remember with nursing. Everyday there is something new to learn even for the veteran nurses. No serious harm was done, you'll remember next time. Everyone has days where they goof. Hang in there.

[ZinRN]

We do things. We make mistakes. We learn nothing from the things we do right. We learn from our mistakes. We grow....

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't have known that. Most hospitals i go to have a sign that says no blood pressures in right arm ect.... Hang in there.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

I guess my question is, if you where there to shadow why were you allowed to do any patient care at all? Even if it was just vital signs, you are not yet hired by the facility.

To me shadow means just that shadow

[ann945n, RN]

All nurses make mistakes. Any nurse who tells you they havent is lying. You are human just like the rest of us :)

[I<3Nursing]

I graduated 2 years ago and still find myself making mistakes or forgetting things. You are always going to have those things that you look back and say wow how did I not catch that? Relax, don't be so hard on yourself :)

[IknowIcanRN]

Thanks everyone!