This is the sort of thing that I have nightmares about, but have never done, until now.
I've been a nurse for a 1 1/2 years, all on the same unit. Worked 1 year on nights, then switched to days. I had the usual rocky moments as a new nurse, but nothing really serious. I'm generally conscientious and careful.
Today I started with 5 patients, which is a heavy load on this unit due to the kind of surgeries we have. I discharged one in the early afternoon. 3 others were pretty needy and one was particularly medically complicated in a way we don't usually see on this unit. My 5th patient was ready to go home, had absolutely no need to stay there. Already independent and minimal pain needs. I just did peeks in when I was running past her room and she was doing fine. I messaged the PA for her surgeon and he said that he would write discharge orders when he had a chance. I got everything set for discharge and waited, but no order.
When night shift came in, I gave report on my 2 more complicated patients to one nurse. The other two remaining patients were to go to another nurse, who was new to our unit and getting checked off for competencies. We got sidetracked on something or another with these checkoffs and somehow I mixed up in my own head that I had already handed off one of my other patients to her, but that I had handed off to the other nurse. So thinking that I handed off two patients each to two nurses, I got on the shuttle bus.
Once I got in my car I realized that I hadn't handed off my easy patient! I think because I had prepared her discharge and was just waiting on the go order from the PA, I had slotted her in the "Discharged" part of my brain. I immediately called in and gave report over the phone. Thank God it had only been about 10 minutes. The nurse was very gracious about it and laughed it off. Fortunately this nurse had the patient the night before, so it really was only an update.
I just feel like an idiot. I was proud of myself for walking out on time, everything done, even with those care-heavy patients. No wonder I was on time! I wasn't even done. I have NEVER done anything like this before. Ugh.
I don’t work in a hospital so I never have to give report. However, in nursing school I had a recurring nightmare: I would dream that it was end of shift and I was giving report and the oncoming nurse said “And what about room 324?” 324? That’s not my patient. “Yes it is. It’s right here on the list. You forgot about him??”
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I had done that a few times early in my career. I remember being ready to go to sleep and realizing I never reported one thing or another on a patient that was important. I found myself calling the unit on the phone and giving report using patient initials, and telling them over and over I was sorry.
I was forgiven and I forgave myself. Eventually I was organized enough that it just never happened again.
Crystal-Wings, LVN
435 Posts
Cut yourself some slack. You’re only human after all.