Mistake Right After Orientation

[Deeya_rn]

I can't believe I was "that" new grad who made a mistake right off of orientation. I'm so upset with myself. So, I work on an acute surgical floor. I had an admission the other night and I did my initial assessment. My patient had a severe fracture of her femur. Her leg was twisted inward and she wouldn't even let anyone touch it without screaming bloody murder. I did my best to move her with some help. Since she was incontinent I had a good chance to check her skin on her back which was great. I noted some bruising and a few other marks. My first admission and I was super excited. I was thorough, I thought. I come in today and find out my patient had an ulcer on the ankle of her rotated leg. How did I miss this? I feel so dumb. Did I not learn anything? I can't stop crying or even sleep. This is so not like me. I'm anticipating what my nurse manager will say and I'm getting so anxious. My nurse manager hasn't said anything yet, it was another nurse who brought it to my attention first, saying that my manager will be talking to me in her office. Will I lose my job for this? I finally thought I was getting the hang of things.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

I'm sorry you're going through this traumatic experience...but, we ALL do. It's part of the journey.

You are obviously a very conscientious nurse. The hardest person to forgive is yourself- you've done something you never thought you would do- which is to make a mistake!

We nurses are crazy hard on ourselves. Take care and think what you would say to me if the situation was reversed.

Beth