why making mistakes make me think I am stupid !

[jollygirl098]

I am new grad RN and have been with my mentor for a week on floor. I am hard working and never leave an oppurtunity to learn anything. I spend time talking to patients, even help CNA's in making beds and cleaning patients, don't sit much because i believe if my mentor is still running around then I should help her however I make mistakes which lowers my confidence. I want to do my best for my patients who are dependent adults under my care. I take care that none of my patients are in pain and discomfort.

Couple of days back, I forgot to prime the main saline bag, also on another occasion I didnt realise that I did not unclamp the antibiotic tubing after hanging it and it was beeping later, I took out different strenght of narcotic meant for severe pain from med room than the one needed for moderate pain. I know the IV pump function but whenever I have to hang bag, i call somebody to supervise me and this makes me think I am stupid.

Documentation wise, I am good and remind even my mentor things we missed to chart.

I want to be competent and efficient nurse.

[50caliber]

Its your first week on the floor, relax. They don't expect perfection and they don't expect you to know everything. It seems like you are enthusiastic about your job and that is an excellent attitude to have. Bottom line: patient safety.

Everything else comes second. Don't be hero and if you need help or are not familiar with procedures, ask someone. Your coworkers will not look down on you for that especially being a new grad.

Good luck.

[tokebi]

Those "mistakes" you mentioned seem like things that will become your second nature in no time as you continue working.

I'm an LVN by the way, and when I first started, one of the frequent "stupid" things I did was pushing hard on the syringe into a G-tube without realizing that the tube was clamped, and ended up splashing the content all over me when the tube's side port exploded open.

[FLAreN]

Sorry to hear about your experiences. You are still learning. Don't be too hard on yourself; however, I did note that you are trying to "never leave an opportunity to learn anything". This is great and you are adopting a wonderful attitude towards learning, but you may be trying to do everything and cannot focus on anything by doing this.

In the beginning, just try and focus on YOUR basic skills as a new nurse. When you are starting a task, only focus on that task for now. You are not expected to notice EVERYTHING around you yet. That comes with time. You ARE expected to check your meds 3 times before giving it, ie right drug, right dose, right patient, right time, right route. It sounds like you know what you are supposed to do but fall short along the path somewhere. Try to stay focused. Your willingness to help others is sabotaging your own efforts in completing your task at hand.

Don't get distracted too easily. This will help you throughout your career. There will be many situations where distractions cause medical errors even to seasoned nurses. When doing something relatively dangerous do not let your mind wander or worry about other things. You are still in the process of getting your bearings so if you veer off from your task, you will not be able to find your way back too quickly and mistakes will happen. You are probably thinking about too many things at once.

Hope that helps! Good luck! Cheer up! Your attitude will take you far but just remember to focus on the task at hand.