I recently made my first real nursing error/mistake of my career. There was no harm to the patient (thankfully) and they were never in any jeopardy (again, thankfully). I was able to quickly identify the factors that led to my making this mistake. I have learned a valuable lesson and know I will be a better nurse because of it.
What I am struggling with is the shame of making such an error and how I handled it. I didn't handle it with the integrity that I thought I had. I'm sure the shock and fear of what happened impacted my judgement on how I handled it but that is no excuse. I'm sure I will eventually forgive myself for the error since I know what caused it and I've learned from it. But I'm not sure how I can forgive myself for how I handled it.
I walk around work feeling like everyone knows what happened. I don't even want to show my face. I don't know how this will impact me at work. I'm truly mortified over the whole thing. I'm curious if anyone has had a similar experience and how you handled it.
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
Part of the problem is that in nursing school (at least in my nursing school) it was pounded into our heads that we couldn't make an error. And that we were the last line of defense in catching everyone else's errors.
Whether it's true or not, that's how I felt starting out.
At my hospital nurses who make a mistake with wasting of narcotics is made to give several speeches to several nursing department on there error and educate on what polices are or how to be better. These first time , already humiliated remorseful nurses has to get in front of his or her peers and educate them of how to waste a narcotic. I was wondering if any other hospital does this to their nurses? Does anyone think this is good idea?
I have been in your shoes. I struggled with it and was so embarrassed. I couldn't sleep or eat for days. My anxiety was through the roof. I was embarrassed to face the doctor, to face my coworkers, to face that patient again when the patient was my patient for my next shift but I really learned from my med error. I am so careful now. Even when I am in a rush, I take my time. I felt like an absolute terrible nurse even thought about quitting all together (imagine if all nurses quit after a med error.)
The reality is, don't be embarrassed about what your coworkers will think because more than likely they have had a med error in their career as well. All you can do is learn from it and keep pushing on. You made it through nursing school for a reason. You're human but i can bet you're still an awesome nurse!
Thank You for this post as an older nurse this recently happened to me and I have many 30 or more residents to care for. Yes I made a bad mistake and actually though I was helping a pt. the pt was sent to the hospital and is alright. But the ER called and yelled and at me and humiliated me in front of another nurse. I could hardly speak and had to return to work as if I deserved it because I work at a nursing home.
ruby_jane, BSN, RN
3,142 Posts
Part of the problem is that in nursing school (at least in my nursing school) it was pounded into our heads that we couldn't make an error. And that we were the last line of defense in catching everyone else's errors.
Whether it's true or not, that's how I felt starting out.
Be easy on yourself.