I'm glad I listened to my instinct.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

:)Hello everyone,

I'm posting a thread today to share a good thing I did yesterday by following my own instinct. I had a resident who is at high risk for asp.pna, everything is well the past few weeks, but the other day when I went to see him to give his regular meds, I noticed he looked a little different. His breathing was fine, his skin was warm,no cough either, all VS are good..but there is something wrong on his aura. I took my stethoscope and listened to his lungs. Crackles. Since being new, my supervisor told me not to worry since he doesn't have any fever & just order chest xray when he gets a fever. I told myself, why will I wait till he gets a fever? It's better to have him check & get a negative result than wait later. So I did not follow his instruction, I asked the MD for a chest xray and MD ordered STAT xray. He is my supervisor, he's been a nurse for quite a while, and I'm just a poor nurse for barely 3 weeks, but I am so glad that this time, I used my head really good & followed my own judgment.

Specializes in Geriatric.
Agreed. i will always follow my gut instincts. that being said I have learned that when I do not believe my supervisor will support me. I do then inform them of the situation and course of action I am taking, i have been right often enough and they know I have the clinical knowledge so that this is not an issue.

I didn't get the last sentence...

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I wish they could teach "gut instinct" in nursing school.

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.
I wish they could teach "gut instinct" in nursing school.

Comes with experience. I don't think there's anything mystical about it, you are just picking up on s/s that are too subtle to put your finger on at the time, but it alerts you to be extra watchful until something specific does jump out at you.

Good catch, payang0722. Sounds like you are already ahead of the curve.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, Case Manager.

Good for you. Better to listen to your instinct, than regretting the consequences.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Gut instinct just isn't something you can learn in school. That usually comes with experience. Some people just don't learn to pay attention to that little nagging voice, that feeling that something is amiss. As you learn what "normal" is for your floor/unit/clients, you'll begin to see when something is just not "right" with someone.

And always beware of the slowly boiling frog phenomenon. There can be times that a situation develops so slowly that you don't really recognize that something has actually become a serious problem, yet someone "fresh" stepping in can see it quite clearly. Try to observe with "fresh eyes" whenever you can. Something to be mindful of.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

So many times I have called the Dr to tell them something was "not right" with my patients. Most of the time they order a C-Xray and labs, I haven't been wrong yet (thank goodness) and have caught many problems before they became life threatening. Always follow your instinct, it will rarely lead you down the wrong road. Good for you!! Keep up the great work!!!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I completely agree with all PPs who have provided positive recognition and acknowledgement to the OP. However, I want to point out that the OP's action was a direct result of her(?) underlying competency & the ability to critically think!

Many times, we attribute knowledge to 'gut instinct' or '6th sense' when it should be recognized for what it is... Critical Thinking based upon one's clinical knowledge and experience. That is what nursing practice is all about.

OP - thanks so much for sharing your story.

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Specializes in Geriatric.
I completely agree with all PPs who have provided positive recognition and acknowledgement to the OP. However, I want to point out that the OP's action was a direct result of her(?) underlying competency & the ability to critically think!

Many times, we attribute knowledge to 'gut instinct' or '6th sense' when it should be recognized for what it is... Critical Thinking based upon one's clinical knowledge and experience. That is what nursing practice is all about.

OP - thanks so much for sharing your story.

Thank you. By the way, I'm a (female) saw your question mark on the 2nd.sentence.

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