Help!

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Oct 15, 2004

I think after 8 months you are incredible :) . If you haven't harmed anyone and are still enthusiastic you are doing a fantastic job. You deserve a huge pat on the back, and it is great that you care so much about the quality of your care. I would be thrilled to have a nurse like you care for me.

sharann, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2004

Hi Rose,

It seems to me that your only "mistakes" are catching the others mistakes. We all make them. It is impossible to work on a floor and do every single thing right and on time EVERY second. Things happen, emergencies that take precedence etc... You are catching things before they become major problems, and this is great! Son't be so hard on yourself now:)

SarasotaRN2b · Oct 15, 2004

that did confuse me...are you day shift or night shift? If you are night shift and the mistakes are made on day shift, I don't see you as carrying the brunt of responsibility especially if you are doing something about it during your shift. I wouldn't be so hard on yourself.

Agnus · Oct 16, 2004

Well, I have been a nurse for 8 months. Everything was going fine until a couple weeks ago when I started making stupid, careless mistakes. The other night I was going through my orders and looked over and order for a procedure that had not been entered in the computer by day shift, so it was on my shoulders. The pt did get the procedure done, no problem, but I just feel soooooooo bad, how could I have overlooked it.???? Then one night I overlooked that the day shift had not started a 24 hr urine collection at 6 am that morning. UGGHHHH...

When you get report review orders with the nurse who is reporting off. This will cut down on missed orders. If your hospital has some stupid policy of not doing face to face report then review orders for the last shift yourself before doing anything else.

JacelRN, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2004

Don't be so hard on yourself Rose, I've been out 7 months and I just made my first med error over a misread (scribbled) doctors note regarding lantus. I even caught it on myself, freaked out miserably, double checked, trippled checked the patient's blood sugar until my shift was over and you know what? nothing happened to the patient, he was safe and snug as a bug over night shift. The only thing that happened was a meeting with my boss telling me "you know I just had to go over this, everyone makes a mistake and you're doing great, no problems from you."

So take a breather and know it happens to everyone, you're a good nurse to admitt any mistakes.

JacelRN

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2004

Sadly these types of mistakes happen despite trying hard to prevent them. The trick is very good communication where possible so you have a back up system if mistakes are made...and not killing yourself emotionally when they occur. And prevention!!! If you can prevent the probelm ahead of time..it helps you, makes you feel good, and can save a patients life!!!!!!!

I learn so much more from mistakes...although I don't make many myself "KNOCK ON WOOD"...but I am very good at spotting them before they become a probelm...and how did I learn them??? From stories like yours and others who are thoughful enough to tell their stories! I remember these stories and tell others so they know a risk area!

Like last weeks Lantus oopsie a nurse (that is making more mistakes than ever over a span of a year...she needs to retire). She didn't look at the insulin bottle and gave 80 units of Regular instead! OKAY...she didn't catch the error, and it was during a shift change...I noticed that on her cart she had normal..and I asked her...okay...the light bulb came on...and wow was it red!!!!!

We got her to the ER right away, and she was treated and all came out okay. But me, I always check my vial to the MAR two times before even drawing up the med, and one more time before injection to be totally sure (we don't have the nurse double check...no nurse to double check!). And for this patient I show her the vial to ease her nerves before even drawing up the med...

Sadly this is the SECOND time this nurse has done this! And now I have put a tape band around the vial to remind her that it is Lantus...this seemed to help a great deal..red band means lantus..none means other (we only have regular on other patients right now...I thought I would mark others in blue if we get them)! So I learned from the mistake she made, and others did too...I mean..I had to explain the red band!!?!?!?!

Thank goodness she was cool about it, and really wanted the probelm to be told so others don't do it either! Sometimes you don't get that lucky!