I put charting in front of patient safety

Katnip, RN · Sep 19, 2004

Don't quit. We all make errors in judgment. The important things are that the patient was not harmed and you learned a valuable lesson and you will not repeat the mistake.

NOBODY has ever gone through nursing or any other area of life without making mistakes: big and little ones.

Forgive yourself.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Sep 19, 2004

Agree with cyberkat... the GOOD thing that has come from this is that you are bothered by it... and have learned that it is just so not worth it !

Forgiving one's self is terribly difficult, but once you have done so, you will be able to move on refreshed and with new resolve. (((HUGS)))

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2004

Give yourself a break.

Blood can be transfused anywhere from minutes to four hours depending on the patient.

(Someone was actually quilting. Oh my!)

louloubell1 · Sep 19, 2004

Don't feel badly. There are times that all of us leave work and kick ourselves thinking that we should have done something different, but we do try to do the best we can. I guess maybe it's because I'm used to the ICU environment, but transfusing a unit over 45 minutes is not a big deal at all. In certain situations (critical care crises) it is sometimes necessary to transfuse a unit within a matter of a minute or two using a rapid infuser. Of course everything is relevant to the patient's condition and all, but don't beat yourself up for it!

hock1 · Sep 25, 2004

Update: The nurses who I work with said not to worry. My patient had no ill side effects. Also that blood can be infused rapidly, although slower is better. Anyway, I'll never make that mistake again. Ugh. vhope

wam79 · Sep 25, 2004

Don't be down on yourself. Learn from mistakes. Your attitude is good. I wish more nurses took their responsibilities seriouly. Many would blame the busy ward and forget about it

bluesky, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2004

I've seen blood run wide open on Ruptured AAA's and such. All I can say, is, if that's the biggest mistake you've ever made in your career, you need to come on over to my SICU!

Farkinott, RN · Sep 26, 2004

Yesterday, I failed my patient miserably. I allowed others to influence me and infused a unit of PRBC in 45 minutes! Luckily for my patient she had no adverse effects. Staff was infighting, a nurse was doing her NAILS, and another was quilting. I can blame their lack of help (even thought I asked for it), however, I am ultimately to blame for this error. I can't forgive myself. I will never again, allow myself to ever take my mind off my patient again. I feel like the worst pt advocate ever, and feel like quiting!

I believe you are being very hard done by. Perhaps you could do with some assertiveness training as I would have demanded assistance from slack pricks like those you are (supposedly) working with. Of course you could always (very quietly of course) call the nurse manager down to catch them in the act!

Don't forget there is more than one way to skin a cat.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 26, 2004

Know what I see here? A conscientious, caring person who wants to do better. Seems to me, you have punished yourself more than enough. You recognize the error, now just learn from it and move on. Get back on that horse and ride. I doubt there is one of us here, with any serious experience, who has not made a mistake we regret, but LEARNED from. Hang tight and get back in there. We need you and so do your patients. Go easy on yourself and chalk it up to valuable lesson learned!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Sep 26, 2004

Lighten up on yourself, hon........the last time I checked, NONE of us walked on water, so don't expect to be perfect! Instead, look at this event as a learning experience in real-life nursing, which is hard even in the best of circumstances (and downright scary in bad ones). Sounds to me like your co-workers could use a swift kick in the pants......what were they doing, sitting there QUILTING while you were swamped? Although you are correct in taking the ultimate responsibility, they should have seen you were in trouble and offered some assistance.......shame on them. :stone

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2004

Hi

It was a mistake.Yes, it was a bit fast. But it is sometimes done. I'm surprised you don't use a pump. We aren't allowed to run anything without a pump--especially blood.

But you learned something from this, or so it seems & that is what is important. Your patient was not hurt, so that's a plus.

Where is the world do you work that someone had time for quilting??

and some one else had timee for naails? We usually help each other here.

But at any rate, you are very caring & you learned lesson, so don't beat yourself up!!

Mary Ann