Frustrated with self

Nurses New Nurse

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I had a patient the other night that I was discussing the case with the doctor trying to figure out what was going on with the patient and trying to treat him. We kept him stable throughout the night and as I was giving report the day nurse asked a question and all of a sudden I realized what was wrong with the patient. I'm so mad at myself that I didn't think of it before because it was so obvious once I thought about it. I hate it when I make dumb mistakes. I feel like the day nurses probably think I'm not taking care of my patients. So frustrated.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Ortho.

Don't be so frustrated, it happens! Sometimes you're so busy during the shift that you don't have time to put all the pieces together. It gets better with experience. There have been many times that on my way home the little light bulb goes off over my head and I think "Oh yeah, That's what caused that!"

The important thing is that you did figure it out, just remember it and the next time you have a pt. with the same problem it will come to you right away. Again, it's called experience...there is no substitute!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

How is it "making a mistake" that you didn't think of what was wrong with your patient until the next shift nurse asked you a specific question? Perhaps the answer was obvious in retrospect, but really, no one can possibly know everything. You're being too hard on yourself. The doc didn't have any great flashes of brilliance now did he? AND diagnosis is his job...

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
:lol2: So, you think this is a dumb mistake? You just found out how we all learn to become better nurses! :welcome: to professional nursing.
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