Don't Cry

[nessajune21]

I feel like an idiot!

I've been a student nurse in the ICU for 3 months. Today I was assisting the doctor while he put in an arterial line. This patient was a horrible stick. The patient's brother, a veteran nurse was looking on. The doc poked around for 30-45 minutes and finally got it in. Then he asked me to zero the line, so I tried to reach around to zero and pulled the line out!!!!

I was mortified. I kept apologizing and the MD and the brother kept saying "It's ok" and "we all make mistakes." But, then they had to say the cursed words "Don't cry" and I lost it and had to leave the room. Of course my face never lost the horrible red glow of crying and humiliation.

Where's a good rock to crawl up under when you need it?

[Batman24]

They knew you were upset and were trying to comfort you. Sounds like a nice and compassinate doctor and family. Don't lose sleep over this. You did the best you could and the fact that you feel so badly shows you are also a person of compassion. Lucky patient.

[Cherybaby]

Unfortunately, it won't be the first time something like this happens. You were fortunate that it happened in front of people who were understanding. I remember the first time I made a boo boo in front of a doc and family. I apologized profusely and proceded to sob in the bathroom for fifteen minutes. I felt so stupid. *sighs* 10 years later...I've gotten better at sucking it up when I make a mistake. Doesn't stop me from wanting to find comfort in the bathroom though! :)

[leslie :-D]

I was mortified. I kept apologizing and the MD and the brother kept saying "It's ok" and "we all make mistakes." But, then they had to say the cursed words "Don't cry" and I lost it and had to leave the room. Of course my face never lost the horrible red glow of crying and humiliation.

very easy to understand.

first you were "mortified".

then the kindness and compassion of the md and brother, i am certain, humbled you to literally, tears.

i think most of us nurses, can smile knowingly, since we understand completely.

wipe those tears, nessa dear.:icon_hug:

what you have to offer in terms of your evident sensitivity, will more than compensate for these pesky 'set-backs'...

and will provide your pts w/gratifying comfort and security.

so for every notable mistake we collectively make, there is always (always, always) a silver lining, where we can potentially be enriched as a result of it.

move forward, sweetie.

yrs later this crap still happens to even the most experienced of us, and it never feels any better.

'growing pains' are never easy, but always fruitful.

it's all good.

leslie

[travel50]

The doctor who was reportedly the biggest ass at the hospital was my best comforter when something went wrong. All the nurses disappeared when they saw him coming. I stayed and tried to help him with a procedure b/c I thought somebody should go with him. He didn't yell or fuss or anything. Just fell all over himself trying to make me feel better.

[LHH1996]

try not to beat yourself up! i know it was upsetting at the time, but we all have done something at one time or another. the fact that you cared shows that you are compassionate about what you do. Hang in there! you are still an awesome nurse!