I made a thread about this in the student nursing section but I figured if I posted it in general that I may get more responses. Here is the original thread and what it says:
Okay so I made a really huge mistake today. I'm in my first year of nursing school and finishing up my second semester which is medsurg. We have needle boxes where we throw the needles in when we're finished, its biohazard and stuff. And those are located in every room of the hospital. Well on my floor we have this conference room in the back where we all do our charting, and go over our meds with the instructor and do our paperwork. This is pretty much a student area and the nurses don't come in unless they are looking for one of us. At one time this was a 3 bed hospital room but it hasn't been since we started in January. There are no beds in there just tables and chairs. So today as I was walking out of the room... (dont ask why I did it bc I DONT KNOW!). I looked at the needle box on the wall and saw that there was a piece of paper that looked like a note folded up in there. I just wasn't thinking and I went to grab the paper out of there to throw it away. I thought since this room isn't used there wouldn't be needles in there.... which I know it was wrong of me to ASSUME that. And I didn't think before doing it. After doing it the one lady who was walking out wtih me started flipping out and saying omg I cant believe you did that, what if you got stuck! etc etc I realized what I did then and there and I went and washed my hands. I did not get stuck or even touch a needle. The only thing I touched was the paper. Then I went out in the hallway for a little bit. After that I came back into the back room and I got an attitude with the lady who flipped out and did i forget to mention... TOLD THE WHOLE CLINICAL GROUP about what I did. I told her that it was my business and I'll do what I want. So I figured this was the end of it. Next thing I know we're all going to lunch and then my instructor points at me and says "you stay here." I instantly thought omg what a ***** for telling on me!, then I thought oh no im in trouble! So she basically said she couldn't have unsafe people in her clinical group on the floor and she told me to go to the nursing school which is 10 minutes away to talk to the nursing director. I was shocked... she didn't even give me a chance to explain or ask me what happened. I got tears in my eyes but I didn't really cry or start bawling. Keep in mind that this was my last day on the clinical floor because the next 2 clinical days I am in the OR and the semester will be over after that. So then I realized that I didn't drive to school today and rode with a friend. SO i went to tell the teacher that and another friend in the class was with me and she offered to drive me over to the school and just stop somewhere that has a drive thru to eat her lunch. The instructor said that was okay and she said she woudl tell my friend who I rode with to school what happened and to pick me up at the school when we were done with clnical. So I'm trying to keep it together and I was talking to my friend about it while walking to her car and of course I couldn't help but crying. Everyone is afraid of the nursing director and thinks shes so mean and so unfair blah blah blah. I just decided that I was going to tell the director exactly what happeend, not lie about it, and tell her that I learned my lesson. Well once I went to see her... she was soo nice. I told her everything and I realized exactly what I did wrong. She said to me" you know what happens when you assume something about clinical (assuming no needles would be in the needle box because the room is not used for a pt room).....it makes an ass out of you and me." I kept my cool while talking to her and was very direct and polite. Then she said I violated a disciplinary rule of the school or something. I told her I was extremely sorry and it would not happen again. I admitted that I was wrong and all that. So the nshe kind of lectured me on needle stick injuries. After that she told me that she wants me to give her an article next week about needle stick injuries and tell her what I learned. Wow I was relieved when I heard that! Turns out everyone in my clnical group was worried about me... and the lady who told the instructor on me was crying the entire afternoon because she felt so bad about what happened. She didn't think the instructor would take it that far and she just thought the instructor would lecture me on it and that would be all. She was really upset and worried about me. So then she wanted me to call her and gave someone her number to give to me to make sure everything was okay. I talked to her and everything is good. Now here is the hard part...... I've asked my instructor a few weeks ago and today if I was in danger of failing clnical. This is because she tears my papers apart and puts redmarks all over everythign I hand in. She said no both times so I was glad about that. But NOW.... this little incident happened. I didn't really give it much thought until now that just because the director of nursing did not kick me out of the program that I can still fail clniical because the clinical instructor decides. Is this enough to make me fail?? Is there anything you could reccomend me doing? I would hate to fail clnical because of this even though I know I shouldn't have done it. SHould I email my instructor and tell her what happened exactly and let her know I'm sorry and tell her that I'll give her the same article and explain to her what I learned? I don't want to get an objective not met just because of this error I made. EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES>... no one is perfect. It wasn't like I made a med error or put my patients safety in jeapordy. Does anyone have any suggestions what to do??? I'm going to be worrying about this and the big exam I have coming up. Should I go and talk to the instructor? Is this even grounds for dfailing the program? I just don't know what to do .... i feel helpless and I hate it. I just wish I would have thought before doing it. Any suggestions anyone?? Help me someone... :scrying:
It doesn't help that I have ADD... should I maybe tell my instructor that this is my problem? She keeps asking why I do things without thinking and I don't know what to say. I don't want her to think of me as an even bigger problem if I tell her that I have ADD and then she will think theres no way in hell I could become a Nurse.
Quote: "So then I told her... "maybe you should get more folders"(I said something along those lines, or like get more organized or something, i cant really remember!)I was only joking though... you know, kind of being sarcastic or whatever. And she replied back with "Maybe I shouldnt teach students that irritate me." I thought that was realy out of line and RUDE!!"
Occasional humor is important in this field--but yes you may have overdone it. However, I agree that the instructor was VERY rude to you; if she expects professionalism from her students, she'd do well to practice it and to stop thinking so highly of herself!! Instructors were once student nurses themselves; their title and position does not give them the right to be rude. Seems to me that this gal has it out for you---hope you can pass this and not have to deal with her again.
yes, there will always be instructors whose goal is to make you fall on your face. when i was in nsg school i had a class of 70; when i graduated i had a class of 22. the students either flunked out, quit or were weeded out. that's the harsh reality.
at the end of my 2nd yr., i received an evaluation from one of my instructors; Christmas break. this lady berated me, humiliated me....i never let her get the best of me.
so at the evaluation, she just couldn't flunk me. i had always been professional, even-tempered, great grades, excellent feedback from clinical. so she found her own little ways of digging. when she was done, i took the opportunity to evaluate her. i just told her that if she chooses to believe the worst in people, then those people will become what she expects: the self-fulfilling prophecy. she could only stare at me.
when i graduated, this instructor came up to me and shared that was the most profound feedback she had ever received, and she thanked me. the irony is, i thought all that time her actions were purposeful. but when she thanked me, it was as if her words were unintentional; that she was just a cranky b*tch. BUT i always made sure i minded my p's & q's. never got into trouble. helped out on the floor at all times. i made damn sure that no one had anything to complain about.
take a deep breath. somehow you must get your anxieties under control, then show them what you're made of.
I was just joking when I said that to her. I guess my clinical instructor has a hard time understanding my sense of humor. She says people cant tell whether I'm joking or serious and they sometimes don't know how to respond to things I say. I'm a very jokeful person and I like to find humor in things.
I understand that you were just joking, and I try to find the humor in things as well. Having said that, there has only been one professor that I've felt comfortable enough to joke with but even with her, I wouldn't crack a joke at her expense. Just don't think that would serve me well.
Whoever it was who told on you was so wrong and should have minded her own d*** business. You did a stupid thing, you didn't get hurt, you learned from it and that should be case closed. I'm glad to hear she was upset and crying, I hope that will make her think next time. There's no reason why you would be obligated to explain anything to her, she is neither your instructor, patient or co-student, just a busy body.
I wouldn't mention ADD as a factor. My son has ADD and when he doesn't take his med and does dumb things or flunks a test...I tell him it's in his control. He has to be responsible and take his mew.
Off the subject here...My son nearly flunked out of school until he decided to take his Strattera and is not an honors students with all honors classes. You might want to think about Strattera. It is not a CNS stimulant and stays in your body for only 8 hours at a time. He only takes it on school days. Good Luck.
Just a side note: I LOVE strattera. It works wonders for me.
Whoever it was who told on you was so wrong and should have minded her own d*** business. You did a stupid thing, you didn't get hurt, you learned from it and that should be case closed. I'm glad to hear she was upset and crying, I hope that will make her think next time. There's no reason why you would be obligated to explain anything to her, she is neither your instructor, patient or co-student, just a busy body.
I wouldn't mention ADD as a factor. My son has ADD and when he doesn't take his med and does dumb things or flunks a test...I tell him it's in his control. He has to be responsible and take his mew.
Off the subject here...My son nearly flunked out of school until he decided to take his Strattera and is not an honors students with all honors classes. You might want to think about Strattera. It is not a CNS stimulant and stays in your body for only 8 hours at a time. He only takes it on school days. Good Luck.
Great post! Is there a nurse on this earth who hasn't had a total brain f*rt at one time?
yes, there will always be instructors whose goal is to make you fall on your face. when i was in nsg school i had a class of 70; when i graduated i had a class of 22. the students either flunked out, quit or were weeded out. that's the harsh reality.
at the end of my 2nd yr., i received an evaluation from one of my instructors; Christmas break. this lady berated me, humiliated me....i never let her get the best of me.
so at the evaluation, she just couldn't flunk me. i had always been professional, even-tempered, great grades, excellent feedback from clinical. so she found her own little ways of digging. when she was done, i took the opportunity to evaluate her. i just told her that if she chooses to believe the worst in people, then those people will become what she expects: the self-fulfilling prophecy. she could only stare at me.
when i graduated, this instructor came up to me and shared that was the most profound feedback she had ever received, and she thanked me. the irony is, i thought all that time her actions were purposeful. but when she thanked me, it was as if her words were unintentional; that she was just a cranky b*tch. BUT i always made sure i minded my p's & q's. never got into trouble. helped out on the floor at all times. i made damn sure that no one had anything to complain about.
take a deep breath. somehow you must get your anxieties under control, then show them what you're made of.
God bless.
leslie
LOL at what you said to the instructor. I would really LOVE to use that line on my instructor the next time she starts saying all these negative things about me! One question though... self fulfilling prophecy, what exactly is that? I just want to make sure I know what I'm saying so I don't sound like an idiot!!
LOL at what you said to the instructor. I would really LOVE to use that line on my instructor the next time she starts saying all these negative things about me! One question though... self fulfilling prophecy, what exactly is that? I just want to make sure I know what I'm saying so I don't sound like an idiot!!
the self-fulfilling prophecy is when you become what others think of you. so if others see you as a failure, that's what you become. if others see you as a total success, you fly, you soar. it's really true too.
i think i may have some advice for you. personally, i don't think that incident is grounds for you to fail yer clinical. you accepted responsibility and recognized your error. sheesh! much worse has been done and i've worked with much worse. it's time to move on!
i'm an r.n. with add. i actually stabbed myself with a needle (while employed) because i was not paying attention and was flapping my lips and next thing i know the needle was right through my finger. and this was after the im injection. it went right through the glove i had to wear because of "isolation precautions". boy did i ever feel stupid. i wasn't paying attention. i've made a few errors during the day time. i recognized it was my add. i'm not blaming add but i recognized that i needed a better work environment. so now i work the night shift and only the night shift. too much happens during the day. i am unable to focus. since i've been on the night shift, nothing gets by me. i'm alert. i can focus. there's lots of room for me to wear myself out and do as much as i can. i can work independantly without supervision. it's just plain better. i can also use the daytime to sleep instead.
i think you are starting to recognize that your add might be interfering with your abilities. it's time to start adapting. trust me. find a doc who can help you organize yourself. i don't know if you are on meds or not but if you are, don't miss a dose and don't miss your appointments. ask if you can get your clinicals modified to include the evening or night shift and try them out. you may want to check out some websites that can inform you about various other nursing jobs. you don't necessarily have to be a hospital nurse. community health nursing kept me interested and busy. during the day, i just can't sit still. driving to various clients homes and the schedule was never the same. it's pretty independant but supervised. also, make sure you get enough sleep. i work twelve hour shifts and eight hour shifts at both part time jobs. so, i never have trouble sleeping during the day. i wear myself out pretty well at both jobs.
hopefully, some of these words of advice will help you. don't get scared and discouraged. you don't necessarily have to be a hospital nurse. keep your chin up! you'll do fine! just remember why you want to do this and finish the course. once you have that degree the world is open for you. trust me. i love nursing. when you find the job you like, you'll be happy. hang in there!
"Whatever, I don't even care anymore. If my instructor is out to get me and doesn't want me to continue then she's going to use every excuse possible to hold me back from passing."
It sounds to me like you are using excuses yourself to keep from passing. If you truly don't care anymore, then maybe you are going into the wrong profession....there's already enough of those out there who "don't care anymore".
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
You know what? You are not alone; I have ADD, too. It would be no excuse if I made a mistake that harmed or killed a patient, however. Nor would it be for you.
The keys are behavior modification techniques and willingness to work harder than others may. If you can't hack that, maybe, like others said before me, you should reconsider nursing. You have to get a grip on all of this----if you think school is hard, nursing is much more so. Consider the instructor is not "out to get you" but rather, trying to prepare you for what your career holds if you cannot pull it together. Not fair? No, it's not---- but neither is life. Nursing is no different....
So, Buck up and do your best or consider this may not be for you. Whatever you decide, good luck to you.
:scrying: 
i just told her that if she chooses to believe the worst in people, then those people will become what she expects: the self-fulfilling prophecy. she could only stare at me.
AtlantaRN, RN
763 Posts
You made a mistake, learn and go on...
That is WHY we have clinicals...so we LEARN and go on...
It's not like you tried to attach a tube feeding pump to a central line!!!
it happened while I was in nursing school...not me, another student, and she
is an excellent nurse now...
linda