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?

[greenfaery]

Most facilities require staff and students to go through training courses related to unit policies before doing clinical practice, therefore It was totally inappropriate for her to ask you to take the vital signs.

[FLoat RN]

Most importantly you should always remember to ask questions. Ask question! Ask questions! Even as an experienced nurse I will get the opinions of the nurses around me and consult reference material if I'm not sure about something. Yes it may take more time to search for the right answer however it's the safe thing to do. Safety first. And never forget your abcs and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. That's how you will know how to organize your day. Remember haste makes waste! Always double/triple check yourself!

[IknowIcanRN]

Thanks for this post. Can you believe during my clinical rotations I have actually been told not to double check so much? I felt like that is what I needed to do at my current level. I'm sure eventually these checks become more second nature, but with my lack of experience I needed to be intentional about it. Thank you for the good advice.:)

[umichsakura]

Okay, may I ask how you were supposed to know that a "pink armband" meant that? I am unaware of how much you knew about the patient, i.e... mastectomy patient, AV fistula, etc... however, if you just walked into the room and she asked you to take vitals, how would you know? It sounds like one of those situations where the nurse was trying to show off. Why would she endanger a patient in the event of trying to be a big shot or teach you a lesson? Okay, so maybe it didn't "endanger" the patient, but its not supposed to occur, so it makes her wrong, I don't care if she said it nicely or not.

[IknowIcanRN]

She told me to go in and take vitals, I think she was doing something else at the time or she would have seen me placing the cuff on that arm. She saw it later before I had removed it. She told me that the pink armband thing was universal. After she said it, I sort of remembered something like that, but there was usually a sign above the patient's bed too. Thanks for making me feel better about it. Like someone else said, I will definitely not make that mistake again.

[Meg, RN]

Oh my goodness, I can't tell you how many of these moments I've had. Once a doctor played a trick on me and told me to go get him a pair of size 12 sterile gloves (they don't exist), lol! I said "ok!" all chipper and stuff, and I figured it out immediately when all the nurses around me busted out laughing. I felt like the biggest dummy then, but now I know better. But I feel like that nurse shouldh've told you about the pink armbands and what they mean. Often older nurses forget to tell us little things like that that are really important! Don't take it to heart though. I've been working on not taking things too personally myself. Now you know for next time I learn stuff all the time that way. Keep on keeping on! We're all in the same boat.

[IknowIcanRN]

Thanks, when other nurses share their stories it really helps me. I definitely need to develop my sense of humor!:)

[BSNmwsu]

I' not an RN yet, not even a grad yet (graduate in DEC 2010)...but I'm a tech. I've done the same thing you've done as a Tech...taken a BP on an arm with that has a pretty pink bracelt on it. Yes you feel terrible when you realize you've made a terrible and tragic mistake that will shake the Earth and make the heavens come crashing down, then you brush it off if the pt isn't harmed (thank God). Not making light of the situation, but we've gotta learn to laugh at ourselves as RN's. It can be a stressful job at times, but it's also a very rewarding career if it's your passion. Simple mistake, you lived, the pt is alive an well, the Earth didn't shake, and the heavens are still up there. Keep it moving and get out there and be all that you can be. :yelclap:

[IknowIcanRN]

Thanks!:)