I am an LPN (graduated in 2005) and I work at a rehab facility. I love my job and the people I work with..... Until recently.......
It was the morning rush, and a patient complained of mild chestpain. I don't know why, but I didn't think of checking his mar for an anti-anginal, which he had. Later, the doctor comes in and talks to him and then I overheard the doctor talking angrily at the nursing station, telling the head RN and our pharmacist my mistake. I even heard he told it to our physiotherapist too.
I am very disheartened, this happened last friday and now it is thursday and I have been feeling so depressed about it. The patient is ok, actually now they aren't sure if his chest pains were heart or muscle related, but now I am questioning everything. I've cried myself to sleep a few times and now am seriously thinking about a career change. I can't believe I missed what should have been a basic nursing instinct - pain? Give a painkiller. Angina? Give an antianginal. I have to admit I've become very comfortable with my job and became careless, but what if the patient had worse effects from my neglect? I am starting to think nursing isn't for me.
I'm very disappointed at myself and took the cowardly way out today - I called in sick. I just don't feel like I can face the patient, or the doctor, or the RN and the pharmacist. I know I have lost their respect as a good nurse. I can't fully describe how I'm feeling right now - I feel angry and disappointed at myself and everytime I think about going back to work I get anxious. What's wrong with me? :-C I feel so depressed. Maybe I should change careers before I kill someone.:-C
I am trying to remember all these good lessons too. Yesterday I lost track of med times and never gave one pt's 1400 meds - didn't even realize it till 1800 and the night nurse had to clean up my mess. My manager called me at home today to discuss it. This is my first week off orientation and I feel AWFUL about it, but I can't let it get in my way of going forward.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
everybody makes mistakes. everyone. the folks who tell you they've never made one are lying. or too stupid to realize that they've made a mistake. i've made some whoppers . . . yours pales by comparison. (there was the time i flushed out a central line -- and when the patient passed out, i realized there was nipride in the line. that one nearly made me leave the icu, but a very wise preceptor told me what i've just told you. everyone makes mistakes. everyone.)
your mistake had no lasting consequences. you know what you did wrong; likely you'll never make that same mistake again. now do yourself a kindness and let it go.
michigansapphire
133 Posts
I am trying to remember all these good lessons too. Yesterday I lost track of med times and never gave one pt's 1400 meds - didn't even realize it till 1800 and the night nurse had to clean up my mess. My manager called me at home today to discuss it. This is my first week off orientation and I feel AWFUL about it, but I can't let it get in my way of going forward.