Do you feel like your screw up a lot?

FERN-tastic · Aug 5, 2008

When I first started I was paranoid after every shift that I messed up somehow and didn't even know it. I was always thinking about how I should have done this or that, and that I was the worst nurse in the world.

I still feel like this from time to time, but not nearly as often. I think it's totally normal to feel a bit insecure when you're first starting out. I would be more worried if you didn't feel this way. The important thing is that you learn from your mistakes and move on. Everyone is going to screw up...it's how we learn. Just be conscientious and be safe in your practice. :)

patwil73 · Aug 5, 2008

I have been a nurse going on 7 years now - a couple of weeks ago I picked up a shift doing IV. At the end of the night I felt like the most incompetent RN that had ever picked up a needle. I swear it felt like a double poked half of my patients.

However, upon reviewing my numbers it was only 6 out of the 35 I did that night.

My point is that I "felt" like I had done horribly but according to my numbers I really hadn't. We tend to remember the "mistakes" versus the "successes". When we are tired (and let's face it, when was the last shift when we weren't tired) we focus on the negative easier.

Everybody has a different way of letting the negative go - my way might not work for you (for instance the above example - once I saw the numbers I felt better even though it still felt like I had a lot of double pokes). Find what makes you happy in nursing and make an effort to focus on that - I think you'll find that the impression of messing up will fade in time.

Hope this helps

Pat

RosieD · Aug 7, 2008

Ask around with the other nurses on your unit- have them tell you the story of the first time they made a med error, the first time they made a mistake that they felt responsible for/ guilty for/ like an utterly worthless excuse for a human for. They all have stories. And remember, while it is certainly possible to make stupid mistakes, especially as a new nurse, MOST mistakes at hospitals are NOT because of one person's mistake- they are usually errors that involve a lengthy chain of things that could have gone wrong and did, or a problem that has occurred over and over again, which is a sign that there is a system problem that needs to be considered- like, for instance, med errors when you have two concentrations of a med available on a unit, with very similar labels. That's an error waiting to happen.

But, like a previous person said, you may not be doing as badly as you THINK you are doing. Keep talking to your preceptor, or other nurses that you trust and work closely with. Tell them your concerns. Admit mistakes and near mistakes, and they can tell you how to avoid them. DOn't worry, we all do it :)

Sillynicunurse · Aug 7, 2008

As a new nurse (graduated in March) I have good days and bad days. Heck sometimes my good days seems to turn into bad days. I have learned that I am human and mistakes are going to happen. I learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others and keep plodding forward. After my first med error (never take anyone's word about a new order look at it and verify the order yourself I don't care if it is your preceptor who informs you of the order update....I was in an isolation room and she didn't want me to have to come out and then go back in) I went to the physician and told her what had happened she was awesome she reassured me that the patient was going to be fine and that he probably needed the med that I gave him anyway and then shared the story of her first med error which made mine look like childs play. So keep your chin up I hear it gets better. :chuckle

lwick · Aug 8, 2008

I know how u feel. I'm a new nurse working on Med-Surg and I just recently had a couple of days that made me feel completely incompetent. I was constantly behind and I felt really stupid, but I had to tell myself that I'm still learning and I'm going to mess up. I haven't made any major mistakes just forgetting to chart small things. I guess it's just something we have to get through.

zlatamoya · Aug 8, 2008

Are you getting enough sleep? I know that sounds so simple, but I just worked my 2nd week of precepting which was nights. By the 3rd night in a row of only getting 4 hours of sleep during the day I was an emotional wreck! I was weepy and totally convinced I'm in way over my head and possibly not cut out for this....I still have a long way to go but I REALLY think a lack of sleep has been messing with my head! Anyway, I'm realizing I have to take a little better care of myself and then I can take better care of my patients too! Best wishes!

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Aug 8, 2008

Thanks everyone, you've really made me feel better. I think I was on a bad run of days at the time. I had worked like 8 shifts in a row and was getting tired. Feeling way better about things now and loving my job again.

FERN-tastic · Aug 8, 2008

Thanks everyone, you've really made me feel better. I think I was on a bad run of days at the time. I had worked like 8 shifts in a row and was getting tired. Feeling way better about things now and loving my job again.

Glad to hear things are going better. The first year can be tough...trust me, it gets easier!! :)