Fearing I'd accidentally hurt or kill someone?

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Hi everyone - I'm considering going back to school to be an RN but one of the biggest things that is holding me back is my fear that I'll hurt or worse yet accidentally kill someone. Did any of you feel that way before you became an RN? If there is such a shortage that nurses are doing things so quickly, couldn't these types of mistakes happen? I've thought about the NICU or L&D but I'm deathly afraid I'd accidentally give the wrong dose or not know how to do something and seriously hurt someone.

Anyone have these fears? Are these normal fears since you're dealing with people's lives!

Specializes in Long Term Facilitly.

I fear that every day I work. I do believe when one becomes so confindent and becomes fearless......they then become dangerous.

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I was afraid to start a thread like this. I am so glad that someone had the guts to do it. I see that I am not the only one who has these fears.

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Specializes in LTC.

Oh,yeah,especially after my first pt on the first day of clinicals threw a PE on the toilet and died about 45 minutes after I met him,and about 15 minutes after his MD came in and told him he would D/C him the next day.

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"As crazy as this sounds, I always feel relieved to come into the hospital the next day and see the patients that I gave the meds to are still alive!"

lol.....I felt the exact same way!! I was the one calling my nurse later that evening and saying, "Did I forget to do this, or that??" I'm sure they thought I was a nut job!

It's normal to be scared. It's a huge responsibility. The nurses who are successful are the ones who feel the fear and walk through it anyway. With each day you will become more confident in your abilities. Retaining a bit of fear will keep your patients safe.

All the best :)

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