I am getting terminated tomarrow

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I am a ER nurse. I have worked in the ER for a year with the exception of being on maternity leave for a short time. three days ago , I gave the wrong contrast to a pt going into ct scan. the conteast was supose to be water soluable. That perticular contrast is not carries in the ER and I had never used it before, but since the patient had a possible perliferated bowl that is the contrast I was to use. The pt ended up fine, but I made the big mistake. after that the next day we had a pt getting ready to head up the stairs to be admitted to the hospital. He was still in the ER waiting for his bed to become available. He was being admitted for DKA. I was monitering his blood sugar and giving him fluids that were perscribed. the charge nurse got ahold of the chart half way through the shift and asked why the pt was not ordered a ICU bed by the docter. I had failed the recognize how critical the pt was by his labs. I guess the ER is not cut out for me, I keep making these mistakes. now I am scheduled for a meeting with managment and human resources tomarrow. I know they are going to terminate me and I am so worried about how this will look to future employers, and if I will ever be able to get another job? I am so stressed right now, I am not sure what to do? Does anybody have any advise??

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Great news! Keep us posted again, I was concerned about you.

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Specializes in ER, Acute care.

Good for you, just stay positive.....:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in Peds (previous psyc/SA briefly).

I hope they will let you transfer!! There is NO shame in just not being cut out - right then - for a particular unit/floor. It may be in part to the people there and in part to the skills and pace, but I would not let it get you down. The most important thing is to be somewhere that you can give safe care and be happy (as you can be in this crazy field) doing it. Take it as an opportunity to learn and grow, not as a reflection, ya know?

Best of luck! And so glad it went better than expected.

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Specializes in LTC, office.

I am so happy you weren't terminated. A transfer might turn out to be a great thing. I have known lots of great nurses who just needed to find their niche. Wishing you the best. :)

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just an update on how everything turned out. they offered to pay me for my days out without pay, transfer me to the ortho med surg floor, and give me my same day shift and hours. So I will have a new unit to work on next week. I am a little worried about loosing some of those critical care skills I have learned, but I am not complaining. They plan to train me for a month. Well, I just want to thank everyone at this website for your words of wisdom. I was begining to get into depression mode over all of this and everyone here has helped me more than friends and family getting through this hard time. Thanks, Lisa

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just an update on how everything turned out. they offered to pay me for my days out without pay, transfer me to the ortho med surg floor, and give me my same day shift and hours. So I will have a new unit to work on next week. I am a little worried about loosing some of those critical care skills I have learned, but I am not complaining. They plan to train me for a month. Well, I just want to thank everyone at this website for your words of wisdom. I was begining to get into depression mode over all of this and everyone here has helped me more than friends and family getting through this hard time. Thanks, Lisa

wonderful that the hospital is working with you rather than dumping you; hope your new experience is a great one

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just an update on how everything turned out. they offered to pay me for my days out without pay, transfer me to the ortho med surg floor, and give me my same day shift and hours. So I will have a new unit to work on next week. I am a little worried about loosing some of those critical care skills I have learned, but I am not complaining. They plan to train me for a month. Well, I just want to thank everyone at this website for your words of wisdom. I was begining to get into depression mode over all of this and everyone here has helped me more than friends and family getting through this hard time. Thanks, Lisa

I am so glad for you! I am a new grad and have been working on ortho/trauma/med surg floor for the last 3 months and I can't tell you how much I have learned. It really teaches you to multitask and my time management is getting better every week. I still have trouble with time management on some days but I am trying to live and learn from each shift and improve. I wanted to go to the ED right out of nursing school but my hospital said you had to have at least 1 year of med-surg type experience. I was pretty bummed at first but I can see why now. Good luck to you, I hope you have a great experience on your new floor!

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

hugs (((((:redbeathe)))))

glad it went well..

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Specializes in med surg, geriatric, clinical, pool.
I am so glad for you! I am a new grad and have been working on ortho/trauma/med surg floor for the last 3 months and I can't tell you how much I have learned. It really teaches you to multitask and my time management is getting better every week. I still have trouble with time management on some days but I am trying to live and learn from each shift and improve. I wanted to go to the ED right out of nursing school but my hospital said you had to have at least 1 year of med-surg type experience. I was pretty bummed at first but I can see why now. Good luck to you, I hope you have a great experience on your new floor!

Good luck to you. Sounds as though another door has opened as did for me. I think you will see things in a different light once you get more experience under you belt.:up:

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Specializes in ER, Acute care.

Good for YOU...............you are going to do great.:yeah::yeah::yeah:

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just an update on how everything turned out. they offered to pay me for my days out without pay, transfer me to the ortho med surg floor, and give me my same day shift and hours. So I will have a new unit to work on next week. I am a little worried about loosing some of those critical care skills I have learned, but I am not complaining. They plan to train me for a month. Well, I just want to thank everyone at this website for your words of wisdom. I was begining to get into depression mode over all of this and everyone here has helped me more than friends and family getting through this hard time. Thanks, Lisa

I am SOOOOO GLADDD that you didn't lose your job.

They must really like you...seriously. I know that med/surg isn't what you want, but it's better than being without a job. Maybe after you get more comfortable and more things come at ease you can work your way back.

You sound like you take your job very seriously....I would want to work with you.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Hospice, Palliative Care.

That's fabulous news, Lisa! They must value you as a nurse since they are willing to work with you to find your best fit; take it a vote of confidence!

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