Clinical Experience 101: Learned Lessons

I was set to do a saline lock flush with my instructor. Mind you, it wasn't my first, because I had done them in the second semester without any problem. But it was the first one with THIS instructor, and she was very very strict.

A total stickler!

Ok, let's see. MAR...check!

3 ml flush intact, expiration date checked.....looking good! Alcohol swab...got it!

My instructor and I walk in, I introduce her, 2 ID check with patient and MAR, explain the procedure, put on gloves....awesome!

I am so good, and I even did it with a smile!

So I put the flush at eye level to expel the air bubble from the syringe.....and nothing happens!

I push the plunger a little more, watching my instructor across from me, her arms folded, a little smirk on the corner of her mouth. My heart is beating faster.

Please God, help me!

Why won't this stupid air bubble budge?!

Then, before I know it, the saline shoots straight up into the ceiling, and spills down like rainwater onto the MAR on the patient's bedside table!

Oh no!

What did I just do?

I left the stupid cap on, that's why I was having so much trouble!

I look over at my instructor, who's mouth is opening and closing like a little fish. I'm so scared!

Is she going to fail me?

"I'm sorry", I spurted, as I picked the wet MAR, "I will get another flush and I will be right back".

She follows me outside in the hall. I was so mortified, all I can say is the truth, "I'm so sorry Ann. I should have made sure to loosen the cap. It won't happen again".

I gathered my supplies and do the saline flush successfully this time. As she left, she shakes her head at me and makes a gun with her hand, points it to her head and shoots.

Gee, thanks, lady! That sure works wonders for my self-confidence!

Fast forward to this semester....it's the last semester, yay!

Finally, we are going to have a little more independence! My new instructor is superb, she tells us that this semester the cord will begin to loosen. Boy oh boy, finally we are being treated with a little respect, and like real nurses!

"Emily, I have an IV to hang".

"Good, get your stuff ready since you have done a lot of these, I won't tell you to step by step, I will just watch you", she says.

All right! I've done tons of these before, this will be cake!

I gather my equipment, tubing, labels, checked the chart, MAR, 5 checks, introduced myself to the patient, provide for privacy, explained the procedure, 2 ID'S checked, my instructor is chatting with the patient, everything's fine!!

My new IV bag is primed and hanging, new tubing in place, labeled, set rate entered, volume to be infused entered. I did everything so beautifully!

Geez, I was born to be a nurse, the board should just give me my license already!

I'm WAY too good!

Everything is set, and with a big smile I press the START button and wait for the IV to drip into the chamber...

BUT I HEAR THE MACHINE BEEP!

I recheck everything carefully. "I don't get it, Ana", I said, "the tubing is not kinked, the clamp is off, the machine is working, what could it be"?

I look at my patient, as he gives me a shy, tiny smile. His eyes move quickly to his left. I follow his gaze only to see that I FORGOT TO HOOK HIM UP TO THE TUBING!!

I gasp, as I hold it up. My instructor bursts out laughing.

"I wanted to tell you so bad", she said, "but I wanted to see how long it would take for you to figure it out!"

As a student, I've had my share of ditzy days and more than enough humble pie. I have learned so much about myself in this time and as a soon to be RN, I am so grateful for all the lessons

I've learned!

Humble pie, anyone?