Made mistakes

GE90 · Oct 24, 2016

Nurse+Star Wars fan=my kind of person :)

seconded!

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Oct 24, 2016

i think needing to go right next to a pt to check on the computer is utterly stupid and ridiculous

This is for walking rounds (bedside reporting) which is mandatory at a lot of facilities, apparently not yours. The computers are located at the bedside so that we can instantly chart what we've done in addition to administer medications, and see what changes have been made after the last time we had a chance to log on. Using it to make sure nothing is missed during report has kept a lot of nurses out of the OP's shoes.

Stupid is a term that I rarely use. So, I'll not use it now and keep my personal thoughts of this comment to myself, as not every battle belongs to me or is even worthwhile. :smokin:

psu_213, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2016

i think needing to go right next to a pt to check on the computer is utterly stupid and ridiculous

If it prevents nurses from missing orders put in at change of shift, I find it neither stupid nor ridiculous. JMHO

Sith_Nurse · Oct 24, 2016

No, we have the computers on wheels and give report from the kardexes. I'm a little irked that the night nurse missed it too (someone had to acknowledge it!) and I'm the one getting blamed but that's life. In the end, as sucky as this whole situation is, it will make me a better nurse.

paulabelle07 · Oct 24, 2016

I'm sorry your going through this. I too was thrown in PCU in 2011 with no experience. I was fired for initially I took a cathedar out and didn't get to it. Night nurse made copy and went to manager. Then I walked away from job after report of course after working 16 hours with no break. Then fired 2 times from a long term facility. I've never been in a career with such backstabbing people. It has been such a disappointment. All I wanted to do is help people. I'm done crying and trying to figure out if I want to move on as a nurse...... Good luck. You ARE worth it!

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Oct 24, 2016

No, we have the computers on wheels and give report from the kardexes. I'm a little irked that the night nurse missed it too (someone had to acknowledge it!) and I'm the one getting blamed but that's life. In the end, as sucky as this whole situation is, it will make me a better nurse.

I'd suggest that you map out a written plan of how to best approach the beginning and ending of your shift...to include checking for new orders...and have it readily available to present to your manager before he/she suggests it. Be proactive in making your corrections and solicit input from your manager. That way, he/she will know that you're not taking these mistakes lightly and are not blaming anyone else.

Good luck. Live, learn, and move on!

empatheticRN · Oct 24, 2016

We all make mistakes and I hope you have learnt from this. Co-workers won't always come to you so get used to this. A point of duty for me over the years is to check orders for any IV medication because too many times they have been d/c and are still running. Removing a foley is easy. Get an empty syringe and attach it to the port on the catheter and withdraw all the the saline that was inserted to inflate the balloon. I normally put a washcloth at the base of catheter to collect any drippings. I then use a moist washcloth or wipe to clean the perianal area after removal.

SKRossow · Oct 25, 2016

Sith Nuse,

Very little compares to being a new grad with the protection and guidance of a preceptor then released to fend for yourself like a baby bird nudged out of the nest. Going to your manager to seek guidance and asking for constructive feedback shows you are working hard to learn time management skills and be the best you can be as you dip your toe into nursing.

You may consider asking your two colleagues to feel free to bring up concerns directly to you so that you can address them as they arise. Doing this builds respect and helps them realize you want to be a strong part of the nursing team, it just takes time...and support from your team members.

If you could research you will find some hospitals have a buddy/mentor program where a new grad is assigned a mentor or buddy for his/her first year as a new nurse. This leads to nurse satisfaction, nurse retention, and a feeling of learning with support. I hope you don't let those coworkers get you down. We all start out at the beginning, as baby nurses who progress from novice to expert according to Patricia Benner. That may help put things into perspective. Just remember patient safety comes first, ask for help when you need it, and keep your chin up when things or people aren't at their best. You may teach them through your communications what collegial relationships are supposed to be like. Best of luck! SKR

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 25, 2016

Hey everyone. So I had a tough shift recently. I missed an order to discontinue a PCA, missed that an epidural was still running, didn't pull two foley catheters and delayed starting a tube feeding because I had no clue what to do and couldn't find anyone to ask. I admitted the foleys to the nurses I gave report to, and they acted like it was no biggie. I also admitted my failure about the tube feeding. When I found out about missing the PCA, I owned up to that as well. Well, I get a text today from a friend that an email was sent to my manager about my mistakes by a nurse I was on shift with and that the nurse I gave report to went around griping about me and encouraging the email. I'm a new grad, and have been off orientation for about 6 weeks. I feel like such a crappy nurse and a failure. I sent an email to my manager requesting to meet with her to go over my mistakes and to learn from them. I've lost trust in the two coworkers for not talking about this with me and running straight to the manager. What else can I do? I know at the end of the day we all make mistakes, no one was seriously injured, I owned up to my mistakes and am trying to fix my shortcomings. Trying to stop beating myself up over this but it's hard.

We all make mistakes, and owning up to them and trying to fix your shortcomings is important.

Do you take negative feedback/constructive criticism/correction well? Because that's going to be an enormous factor in whether your coworkers talk to you first or go straight to the manager.

Two foley, a tube feeding AND a PCA all on one shift . . . that seems like a lot. I really don't blame your relief for griping about it, although it would have been nice had she discussed it with you first. Are you someone who takes criticism well? If you're someone who doesn't, she may have hesitated to discuss it with you because with that much additional work, who has the time to go through the drama of trying to discuss it with someone who isn't going to take it well. Since you've only been off orientation for six weeks, I think both emails were appropriate: the one you sent and the one she sent as well.

I imagine your coworkers will have a difficult time trusting YOU until you fix your shortcomings.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 25, 2016

I'm rotating shift, mostly days. My love of Star Wars is known on the unit so this seemed a fitting name. It was this or Darth Nurse (which I have on a t-shirt).

A bit of advice you didn't ask for: you don't want your user name here to be known on the unit. You want to be as anonymous as possible.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 25, 2016

No, we have the computers on wheels and give report from the kardexes. I'm a little irked that the night nurse missed it too (someone had to acknowledge it!) and I'm the one getting blamed but that's life. In the end, as sucky as this whole situation is, it will make me a better nurse.

If you go to report at 7:00, it's up to YOU to catch that, not the night nurse. Physicians are notorious for sneaking in to see patients (or sitting in their offices reviewing the charts on the computer) and entering "stealth orders".

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2016

We all make mistakes. I agree to make a corrective plan of action BEFORE you meet with your manager. Good luck.