Need some reassurance

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

I've been at my new job for about a week now. I feel things are going well. I am learning the med-pass at a comfortable pace and starting to get a routine down and have an idea of what needs to be done during a shift. The residents on my side are wonderful and I'm starting to learn how and when they want their meds(which is making things go a lot quicker when the nurse I'm shadowing lets me give them their meds.

However last night I was switched to a different unit to shadow the charge nurse. She gave me a list of patients to get a fingerstick and insulin coverage on. I didn't think this would be too difficult. So I went around to the rooms and got the ones who were in their rooms and skipped the ones who weren't. So I was finishing up with a patient and I knew I had to hurry up because dinner was in about 5 minutes and i had 4 other patients to get. So I went out in the hall to write down her blood sugar and put the lancet in the sharps container. I was caught in the hallway with my gloves on. I totally forgot that you can't have gloves on in the hallway(which also means I forgot to wash my hands.. I was told about that too). So I washed my hands and went on to the other patients that weren't in their room. They were in the dining room!. We can't do treatments/meds in the dining room. So I was ready to run out the door and the administrators were still in the building. One of them came up to me(the same one that caught me with gloves on in the hallway) and said "Do you feel confident doing this?"

In a way I did feel confident.. I can do fingersticks and give insulin coverage. But when I start something, I like to finish it and I knew I couldn't finish now without help. So I didn't give her a straight answer I'm like "I can do this but I still have to get about 3 more residents" So she told the nurse I was shadowing "She is a brand new nurse.. Don't leave her alone"

My confidence went to shreds. Thats how I learn. by doing. I can't watch someone do it I zone out. I learn by having someone walk me through it. and then doing it myself.

I did the HS fingersticks/coverage and lantus injections all by myself. No problems. It took me about a half hour to do 4 patients. (and yes I washed my hands everytime I took my gloves off lol)

Should I be concerned? I mean when I make mistakes I always remember them and I rarely make them again. The way I felt last night I was ready to start looking for another job.

[izeofblu1973]

Dont worry. You will not be as fast or as confident as experienced nurses and no one should expect you to be. That will come with time. One of the most important things I learned when i was a GN was that asking questions will make you a better nurse. If you dont know how to do something or are unsure or in above your head, tell someone. Its better to feel like an idiot, than to hurt someone. I have never heard a nurse say " did you hear what that dumb new nurse asked?" . Remember that no one knows everything and you are there to learn. Good luck and dont feel incompetent, we were ALL there once.

[50caliber]

Ask a lot of questions and don't be a hero. It all boils down to PATIENT SAFETY and not about you impressing your coworkers or your employer.

[justkellymarie]

I completely agree with the above 2 statements, don't beat yourself up over this. I am sure you are a fantastic nurse, and you will probably never make those mistakes again - right? Live and learn!

[FowLaf24/7]

It sounds like you are progressing in a normal and in some ways exceptional pace. I believe like most humans, your mind can become hyperactive and conjure up 180 degree perceptions, when confronted with new experiences and when nervous energy is present. Perhaps the administrator official realized you were new to the floor, and wanted to ensure the correct orientation phase was being completed. It had nothing to do with your capability. The fact the charge nurse left you on your own indicates she had complete confidence in you. Realize when performing the nursing skills they may seem very simple, but you are new. When performing skills which are foreign, you are going to find it takes additional time. But remember this: We didn't get into nursing to work fast. We rather do something correctly than fly through something and make a mess of it all. After performing the skills over a few times, you will increase in your speed. Keep plugging away, and take it easy on yourself. I believe you are a great nurse, and will be exceptional in the years to come!

[medicrn13]

As a new nurse it is expected that you will at some point feel overwhelmed. That's why you have an orientation phase.

I'm not ashamed to say that I broke down during orientation and questioned my ability. But I made many changes, developed a routine of what I had to get done, and everything completely changed. I now feel completely confident in my abilities, and when confronted with something I'm not sure of, I ask questions.

Remember, there are no stupid questions. You'll be fine, don't get discouraged!