Anyone ever said something completely dumb because they were really nervous?

Published

Once, in an interview (non-nursing job), I was asked that age-old question, "Tell me about some of your strengths and weaknesses". My reply for my weaknesses:: "I'm always late." Needless to say I didn't get the job.

This one cracks me up! :roflmao:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pulmonary, Lung Transplant, Med/Surg.
Oh I'm a walking talking disaster sometimes. let's see, once as an aide I was doing my 1st round of the morning. A family member asked how the system worked for calling in the pts breakfast order since they had a special diet. i assured them that the people who answer the phones won't allow you to order anything that's not allowed on your diet. trying to be helpful i jokingly made the analogy of a diabetic trying to call and order a whole cake or something (ha... ha?!) of course the fam member then says "Hey wait a minute, I'M diabetic!"

I was doing an admission on a lady in her 70s. She was out of it so her family member is giving me all the details. I'm going down the LONG list of questions and before i can even think about it i blurt out "Do you know the date of her last menstrual period?" the family member looked at me so crazy.

the other day I was naming off the drugs i was about to give a pt and when I got to Keppra for some reason i said "and here's your antibiotic!" i have no idea why. to be fair my brain naturally thinks the word Keppra SOUNDS like an abx but i know it's not!

I always think this too!! Have to make my brain do a double take :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was speaking with a patient who was upset over her recent leg amputation. So I was talking her into better spirits. Well we were on the subject of how expensive medical bills can be. So I blurted out.."Oh that'll cost you an arm and a leg!" I immediately stared in horror at her recent leg missing....*exit stage left*...I have also searched endlessly for a 2nd shoe on a leg amputee when I was a student...the patient found that hilarious.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
:roflmao: I love this thread!
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Gee, I'm attending a job fair tomorrow and an interview will be in store for me. The last interview I had was two on one, so I am already a little anxious about it. I think body posture says a lot and I tend to be one with crossed arms, like defensive. I really have to concentrate on keeping my arms open. The unit manager asked me what my five year plan was, I didn't want to say I wanted to retire in 5 years, so I told her what certification I wanted to achieve. That was not a good answer for her, as I could tell she wanted an inside person for the job. It can be so very hard!!! Maybe I should talk to myself out loud and let them know how crazy I really am!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was a student when I breezed into my pt's room at 0730, ready to take on the day and be the best nurse I could be. My pt was a diabetic BKA (well established BKA at that). I cheerily introduced myself, outlined the morning routine, and then said perkily "And we'll have you up on your feet in no time!"

Feet.

Thankfully his sense of humor had remained intact after the BKA. I was mortified.

The next one was done by a pt I was caring for recently. He was a fresh 2 day s/p front foot amputation from an infected diabetic ulcer. I came in to help him dose out his insulin, and he assured me he'd looked at the foot a few times. (We strongly recommend our amputation pts look at their stumps early and often to prevent further grief and image issues.) So I asked how he felt, and he said "Oh, its growing on me."

Then he stopped. I just froze, trying to see how he was going to react to that. He laughed and then wryly said "No, I suppose it won't grow anymore, will it?" and then just laughed.

I told his MD that night that the pt was taking it all in stride. *slaps hands across mouth*

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Oncology, Epic CT.

During my third semester at nursing school, I was handing out medications with my preceptor and I was suppose to name the medication, what it was for, and the side effects of each medication to the patient. I started to do just that for one particular medication and told the patient what it was for. The patient stated, "I don't have -insert diagnosis here-, why do I need to take it?" I had a deer-in-the-headlights look on my face when I realized, the doctor had not discussed the diagnosis to the patient yet. It did not help that my preceptor was glaring daggers into the side of my head. Thankfully, she swooped in and smoothed it out with the patient.

From that point on, I made sure to thoroughly remember which patient I am working with before I step into their room so that would never happen again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Those darn amputations have tripped a lot of us up (pun intended) :lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

ICURN3020 Love it! We have to laugh at ourselves.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

This one isn't funny. Family deciding on comfort care for Grandma were taking their own sweet time making a firm decision. Finally they announced to me they wanted to begin comfort only procedures. My response? "Wonderful!"

Still coughing up the leather sole of my shoe from that one. Pretty mad at myself actually. What an idiot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Oh, and if I had a dollar for every time I absentmindedly ask an NPO patient if they are getting hungry and ready to order breakfast/lunch/dinner.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was asked the same question at an interview for a free CNA program and I told them my weakness was not being sure of myself I didnt get a call back either lol. I hate being put in the spot light im super shy but i guess you live and learn lol so luckily the job was NON nursing you know what NOT to say next time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion