fear of error

[victoriac]

I'm a teacher considering a career change. I am fascinated by health care, but there are a lot of issues to think about before I make a commitment. One of the big worries that I have about nursing is the potential for making an error (such as overmedicating). I am also concerned about my discomfort with math and how this might affect my ability to perform well as a nurse. To add to all of this concern, I've read so much about the poor working conditions in hospitals under managed care, with many RNs worried that long shifts and overload have caused them--experienced nurses--to worry about thier making mistakes and losing licenses (as well as unintentionally causing harm). How do others deal with these issues?

[suzy253, RN]

I too was very concerned about errors as math isn't one of my favorite subjects. But I took a remedial math course in a local community college which helped me a lot with the Drug Calculations course I had to take in my freshman 1st semester. I feel very confident when I'm doing dosing now. I was scared about giving shots etc. but have overcome that. Basically, don't let fear of 'what if' hold you back. You'll probably find that your fears are unfounded.

Good luck to you!

[Stephanie D]

I'm a newly graduated LPN and I am very concerned about giving

the right dosage when giving shots. I'm sure every nurse is at first

but eventually get over it.

[Ortho_RN]

I am a new RN and I think that is a fear that everyone has.... And at our pinning our dean said more than likely we "will" make some kind of error.. We just must hope it doesn't harm our patient... And we must learn from it.

I double, sometimes triple checked the dosages that the computer and the MARs have just to be safe... I worked to hard for my license..

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Fear is Healthy