need advice fellow nurses:(

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I feel so sad because I am currently in the training period of working in a small provincial hospital. As a trainee, I am under my superior. So what happened was, there was a laboratory request for a patient that had the same surname and it got mixed up. Long story short, I made an incident report then got a memo from the chief nurse. I feel so stupid and unworthy to be a nurse but at the same time I feel that this is a challenge that I need to triumph over. Please I need your advice. My train of thought now is that maybe I shouldn't be a nurse because I was negligent and incompetent.

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Specializes in Aged Care, Palliative Care.

Don't be too tough on yourself - you are reflecting on your practice and this is what any good nurse should do. We all make mistakes, the difference is in how it is handled. Negligent and incompetent is the nurse who covers up their mistake or blames someone else for it.

Chin up - you can bet you won't make an error like this again.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

Luckily your mistake had to do with a mixed up lab and not a medication meant for patient A and given to patient B. Count your blessings.

You'll be more aware of paying attention to patients that have similar sir names the next time around.

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Wow cheer up being hard on yourself is one one thing. Being hard on yourself and going over board is another. I have said this before and I'll say it again. Everyone makes mistakes You, Me, Everyone, but in our job if we make a mistake people can die. The name of the game is not to make them. This time it was labs correct? Next time it might not be.

Slow down relax and just learn from it. Remember in school when we we're taught passing meds? Read 3 times then pull or pop. Same with everything else. And as far as you not knowing if you want to be a nurse well only you can decide that. Just don't do anything you might be sorry for. These are my thoughts use them as you wish...

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Mistakes happen, just congratulate yourself that you lucked out in a small mistakes versus a big one. This should make you more careful and safe in the future. No one is perfect.

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Specializes in LTC.

Don't be too hard on yourself! I was on orientation as a freash brand new grad and the nurse went to go answer a phone call. I went down the hall to give to the resident. Well, I walked in and the aids wanted to ask me a question about her neighbor. I set pills down at the bedside table, assessed, then gave the resident her meds. I walk back to the cart and the nurse says "Oh so you found Mrs. ___? I said "uhhhhhh, I gave those to Mrs.___? The medication was Coreg! EEEK. I was so caught up in the moment with the aids I didn't think. I should have told the aids that I had to give these pills and then will be right back. I wanted to burst into tears and thought I was getting fired for sure! My boss was so nice about the situation. She said EVERYONE has made mistakes and if they say they haven't they are lying! The resident's blood pressure went very low and we ad to start an IV on her. I felt sooo dumb and made mer very paranoid when I was on my own! I still work there and am doing well.

It is ok. The important thing is that you learn from the situation and move on. Be cautious and if something seems weird to you, ask. It never hurts to ask. I ask plenty of questions at my job. I am sure I drive the other nurses crazy! Stay positive!:D

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Sorry to hyjack the tread...but what happens in a situation like this if a mistake needs to be corrected...like in the case with nurse2b22? Meaning, how does the extra supplies get billed? Does the facility absorb the cost for an IV, corrective meds., repeat labs on the correct patient? Just curious how that works as I am not there yet. Thanks!

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you guys are the best. this forum is really helpful for all nurses. I felt better when I read it. I have been rotated to a different area now, and I am loving it. I am so proud of myself today, yes I was a bit slow but as a trainee I was able to answer the questions asked by the attending physician when they made rounds. I anticipated the things that they were going to ask so I already assessed them prior to their rounds. I love nursing really, especially making patients and fellow colleagues smile. If it wasn't for my love for the profession I would have probably quit a long time ago. I am taking it one day at a time.

What hurt more was the head nurse said that she NEVER made a mistake in her career. When I heard that, I felt useless and weak. She even shared it with the other nurses not involved in the case. The rumor spread like wildfire. I am also ashamed of facing my senior nurse now. There was a point that she asked whether I was lying when I told her the truth.

Yes, this is definitely a mistake that I wouldn't repeat. I just hate how some professionals can be unethical. :( I love what I am doing and I will be stronger. I think I'll be rotated in her area tomorrow. In medical surgical, if my memory serve me correct. Prayers, fellow nurses.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.
What hurt more was the head nurse said that she NEVER made a mistake in her career. When I heard that, I felt useless and weak. She even shared it with the other nurses not involved in the case. The rumor spread like wildfire. I am also ashamed of facing my senior nurse now. There was a point that she asked whether I was lying when I told her the truth.

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omg does this infuriate me! I am still a new nurse (5/10) too. I have made mistakes. One BIG mistake and my supervisors and DON were so understanding. Yes, there were interviews, yes there were meetings, yes NOW there is a change in procedure also. So all ended well. During that time, I thought I would stop breathing right then and there, I couldn't stop crying. My supervisors had nothing but comfort and support for me. How DARE that nurse make you feel like she did. I find it hard to believe that she has never made a mistake. What a read between those lines is....she never made a mistake that she accepted responsibility for. We all make mistakes, we are human. As careful and diligent as we try to be, it happens. OP, you handled your mistake well, you accepted responsbility and you learned, this is what makes you a good nurse. Gosh, I would love to throttle your supervisor. I'm glad you went to a different unit and are happy. You dont need to be around that mess!!!

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

If you mixed up the labs, it is a PROCESS issue.

I highly suggest that the nurse (senior as you call her) remove herself from her "Perfection" and take a look at this objectively...

The PROCESS is the problem.....it can and WILL happen again if no one reviews what went wrong and why, instead of WHO made the mistake....

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What hurt more was the head nurse said that she NEVER made a mistake in her career. When I heard that, I felt useless and weak. She even shared it with the other nurses not involved in the case. The rumor spread like wildfire. I am also ashamed of facing my senior nurse now. There was a point that she asked whether I was lying when I told her the truth.

Its a given that no one is perfect, therefore your head nurse has made a mistake before. The biggest thing is, since shes announcing to the world that shes never made a mistake before, what shes really saying is, shes never caught any of her mistakes before and that is worse. MUCH worse.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

HEY! I never make mistakes, either.

In my dreams.

Now, my nightmares and reality are a different story...

Dave

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