Is there any RN who never made a mistake?

Celia M, ASN, RN · May 30, 2006

If an experienced nurse tells you they have never made a mistake they are lying and probably dangerous to boot. We are human therefore we make mistakes. As other posters have said, admit to it, take steps to remedy it' never cover it up and most importantly learn from it. If someone you know makes an error be supoortive, it's devastating no matter what the outcome

TennRN2004 · May 31, 2006

From what I read in all posts, everybody mentions how important it is to support another nurse in a difficult situation without blaming. Unfortunately it does not happen in every place...

You are right, I just had this conversation with a friend today about my workplace. When I have 3 patients (in charge also) and I'm trying my best, it makes me absolutely livid for the day shift nurse to prance in and make snippy comments. The doctors come in and some nurses just can't wait to make themselves look smart and the best nurse there ever was at your expense. I was telling my friend I wish as nurses we would help each other and have more of a team attitude instead of being so quick to point fingers and blame others. I pick up slack for days all the time, and do not mind doing so at all. I want what is best for the patient, and if you didn't have time on your shift I'll come in and take over. It would be nice if the favor was returned without a bad attitude. Oh well, I guess we can only do the best we can do. There are always going to be those types of nurses out there who don't support and encourage everyone. It just makes you wonder how they would feel if the situation was reversed.

TennRN2004 · May 31, 2006

we've all made mistakes, and anyone who tells you they haven't is a damned liar! serious mistakes? either we've made them or will make them -- what matters is what you do about it afterward. admit it and do your best to fix it. the only thing truly unforgivable is to cover it up.
about 2 years ago, i contributed to a serious mistake made that had a very negative outcome. patient recieved a med on the floor and had a negative consequence of that med; was later transferred to the icu for a different reason and report did not include either the med or the negative reaction. things were so busy it was 3-4 hours before i had a chance to go back through the med list while taking off the icu orders. checked a lab at that time, labs were wayyyyy off and the patient had a negative consequence. very negative. the whole situation could have been avoided with 1) adequate report from the floor to the icu; 2) adequate report from the day icu nurse to me, the night nurse, 3) adequate treatment of the original negative reaction, 4) not grouping this extremely sick patient who was trying to die with a second patient who was extremely needy and demanding and had a rude, agressive and bullying family who consumed wayyyy too much of my nursing time demanding things they didn't need, weren't entitled to and were way low on the priority list 5) a little help from the six staff members who were sitting in the break room (including the charge) talking and laughing or the nurse who was sitting at the nurse's station reading my charting and commenting about how she would handle things better 6) a secretary who could take off orders correctly or 7) a resident who knew what was going on. unfortunately, i'm being blamed for the entire mess by my coworkers, including the 7 who were there, could have helped and didn't.
in short, support your coworkers. you could make the next mistake, and you'd want to be supported rather than blamed!

don't you just want to smack nurses like that? i know how frustrated i would get on nights i'd be running my butt off, like transfusing blood left and right with a gi bleeder and a confused one crawling out of bed. seems like my coworkers had nothing better to do than surf the net. i'm sorry this happened to you ruby. don't let it get you down though. we aren't perfect, and you are only one person who can be in one place at one time. i wish i had ten hands and eyes in the back of my head, it sure would make being an icu nurse easier!