I've made a few mistakes working as a tech... does this mean I'll be a bad nurse?

[lostandfounds]

Hi everyone,

I recently passed boards and was offered a job at the local hospital. Until my license comes through, I will be working as a tech. I was trained as a tech for 1 week (three 12-hour day shifts) but I made a few mistakes. I forgot to place the call bell next to one patient before I left the room and I also took too long with completing some tasks. I'm beginning to feel like I won't be a decent nurse if I make mistakes such as these. Am I being too hard on myself? Or should I take this as a wake up call that nursing may not be the best job for me? The 2 techs I was with didn't seem too thrilled about having to train me.

Thanks for any advice.

[JKL33]

Let's see: Three days is not enough time to orient either a tech to a tech position, or an RN to an RN position. A brand new graduate is no more "ready" to hit the ground running with tech duties than s/he is with RN duties based on my observations. It doesn't make sense that you would learn everything you needed to learn about the patients, the setting, the policies and especially the routine in only 3 shifts. Goodness, just finding your way around and starting to remember where everything is stocked would take that long.

This says NOTHING about your ability to successfully practice nursing! Just remember that when you begin to orient as an RN, you will have a learning curve ahead of you.

I do have one caution for you, and based on your post, I think it is important. I would find out *now* what the plan is for the RN orientation. As a new RN you will need a rather lengthy orientation compared to what you have received as tech. I think you need to investigate whether they plan to invest a little more in your success than what they have demonstrated so far. Do not set yourself up for failure by agreeing to an inappropriate new-RN orientation.

Best wishes ~

ETA: I need to edit because I thought you were still waiting to take the boards. I can sort of see why they didn't invest in a lengthy tech orientation...you hopefully will be doing this role for a very short period of time. Regardless...nothing about the 3 shifts you've done as a tech says anything about your ability to be a great RN.

[ImLovingIt]

I forgot to put the call light by someone who came back from surgery tonight. I'm a nurse with 2 years experience. It happens. You fix it and move on.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Being a good nurse is not about not making mistakes. No one can do that. It's about how you respond to a mistake. Own up to your mistakes and learn from them.

[lostandfounds]

Thank you so much! I feel a lot better now!