Well it happened my first needlestick

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been a nurse for 10 months and I had my first needlestick today. It is an embarrassing and mortifying experience. I feel shame in that I should have known better done better. Starting a PIV did not get it I pulled the angiocath out without retracting the needle first, she jerked and hit my hand and the needle went into my thumb. ;( I'm currently sitting in the ER but man this sucks. I work in a nursing home and she does not have any risk factors so I'm pretty sure I'm going to be ok but still feel so ashamed. Thanks for listening

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So sorry. Odds are you will be fine and will have learned a valuable lesson.

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It can happen to the best of us. It is a terrible feeling, even when you know the patient has low risk factors, even after the patient has been cleared for infectious disease. Just make sure you follow all of your facility's needlestick protocols and complete all necessary paperwork. Do this even if the testing comes back negative.

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Specializes in Cardiovascular, ER.

Don't be too hard on yourself, it does happen.... it happened to me too last year. Just learn from it and like the previous poster said, follow up. Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

Being ashamed is being too harsh on yourself. It happens. You didn't do it on purpose. Next time just be more careful.

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.

Why are you ashamed? Hope you are okay. I got one and was a wreak for months, really two years. Glad you are taking it well, but it may hit you later, please talk to a professional about this. Peace!

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Specializes in Emergency.

Talk to a professional about a needle stick? Hmm. I was projectile vomitted on by a patient and I was mortified until his test results came back. I had labs taken as well but was a sign of relief when his came back negative. It's a scary thought, but I think you will be fine once you find out things are okay. It happens. Sorry it had to happen to you though :/

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It happened to me too. Mine was a insulin needle....I gave the pt her dose and some how that needle ended up in my finger. She was a 19y/o jehovas witness with uncontrolled DM. Thank God. It will be OK. I know I learned to slow down! Hugs!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

So sorry this happened to you--I have been there done that (also with a low risk patient in the nursing home setting)...it's no less terrifying no matter what the risk level. Fingers crossed that you have the best possible outcome :-)

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Don't be so hard on yourself. With everything we face in our daily workplace, eventually we will experience some type of exposure. As the previous poster mentioned, follow your protocols and file the appropriate paperwork. I wish you the very best outcome. It is a scary experience and I'm sorry you have to go through it.

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I just came across your post. Gosh you should not feel ashamed, nursing has inherent risks and in a fast paced environment with so many different variables, unintended needlesticks unfortunately occur. The psychological trauma associated with needlesticks is tremendous and should not be taken lightly.

I hope for a good outcome for you and in your career.

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Specializes in M/S, ICU, ICP.

Wow, sorry you are having to go through this. I am finding older and older patients with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis and chronic syphilis so the age or the looks of the sweet little old lady look can fool you.

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