New grad...first major screw-up!

Nurses New Nurse

Published

I'm posting this this because I need advice on how NOT to let this happen again, and also because I want other new grads who might've made mistakes like me to know they're no alone!I'm a new grad in a trauma ICU. I started June 15. Yesterday was my first day taking 2 patients all by myself, with no one looking over my shoulder or supervising. We were short that day, had several very needy patients, some family drama, and a patient who was rapidly going downhill who ended up passing right at shift change. My patient load was relatively easy, though.

In the morning, I got an order to take one of my patients to CT. At my hospital, once the order's put in, CT calls when they're ready for you. Well, CT never called, and the day just started getting crazier and crazier. Like I said, my patient load wasn't bad, but other nurses needed my help and I stayed very busy. All of a sudden, I catch my breath and look up - and it's 5:30.

Guess who hasn't gone to CT? Yep. Right after I realize this, the phone rings. It's the doctor, who (rightfully) chews me out for not getting my CT done. I proceed to grovel, apologizing and saying it was totally my fault for dropping the ball and it will not happen again. Ugh.Well, CT couldn't take me until 6, and by then respiratory was about to start shift change, so I wasn't able to go to CT until after I'd given report during my own shift change. I took that patient to CT myself around 7:30 because I did not want to dump my mistake on night shift.

I'm off today, feeling like an idiot an hoping this mistake won't result in a write-up - or worse - as it well could. Experienced nurses, I'd love your feedback on how to keep this from happening again. I have seen the organization sheets that have been posted here before and use something similar at work. It wasn't enough - or I wasn't using my tools to the extent that I need to. This was my first big screw-up and my biggest concern is making sure this mistake, or one similar, never happens again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

Keep your head up. You made a mistake and hopefully you will learn from it.

It sounds like the way my patients go down to CT or other tests are similar to yours. What I usually do, after the order is put in, I will call down to CT and find out what time they were looking to scan the patient. This way everyone, including respiratory, can be on the same page about when the patient will actually go down. This also gives you a chance to prioritize some things to get done before transports shows up for the patient.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a fresh graduate too.... I'm LVN. First day of doing the work by myself and made mistake... I felt bad because the DON was very happy that I passed NCLEX so I could work for her... Now I thought to myself how disappointed she is that she hired me. Very important lesson.... read, verify, read again and make sure you are doing it right... It doesn't matter if you are slow... it's understandable... but make sure you don't make mistakes... it's the safety of the patient is more important... Know how to prioritize!!!! Safety first....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

The first year after school is the hardest......nursing is a unique profession because learning how to actively care for patients themselves is after you graduate. It could have been a serious consequence for the patient if there was an active bleed that needed to be address or an increase of pressure that needed to be relieved with an EVD

The first year after school is the hardest......nursing is a unique profession because learning how to actively care for patients themselves is after you graduate.

Organization is key.......you need a brain sheet.

brain sheets.......here are a few.

doc.gif mtpmedsurg.doc doc.gif 1 patient float.doc‎

doc.gif 5 pt. shift.doc‎

doc.gif finalgraduateshiftreport.doc‎

doc.gif horshiftsheet.doc‎

doc.gif report sheet.doc‎

doc.gif day sheet 2 doc.doc

‎critical thinking flow sheet for nursing students

student clinical report sheet for one patient

I hae made some for nursing students and some other an members (Daytonite) have made these for others.....adapt them way you want. i hope they help

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP.

No matter how long you've been a nurse you will make mistakes, you're still human and humans aren't perfect. You probably won't make that mistake again and if everything turned out ok for your patient then I bet you will be fine too. If you are off work and worried then reach out to your supervisor and let her know your feelings, maybe she can set your mind at ease or at least let you know what the outcome will be. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.
The first year after school is the hardest......nursing is a unique profession because learning how to actively care for patients themselves is after you graduate. It could have been a serious consequence for the patient if there was an active bleed that needed to be address or an increase of pressure that needed to be relieved with an EVD

The first year after school is the hardest......nursing is a unique profession because learning how to actively care for patients themselves is after you graduate.

Organization is key.......you need a brain sheet.

brain sheets.......here are a few.

doc.gif mtpmedsurg.doc doc.gif 1 patient float.doc‎

doc.gif 5 pt. shift.doc‎

doc.gif finalgraduateshiftreport.doc‎

doc.gif horshiftsheet.doc‎

doc.gif report sheet.doc‎

doc.gif day sheet 2 doc.doc

‎critical thinking flow sheet for nursing students

student clinical report sheet for one patient

I hae made some for nursing students and some other an members (Daytonite) have made these for others.....adapt them way you want. i hope they help

I downloaded all of these. I esp. like the 5 pt shift one. It's bare-bones as far as information goes; When you have 5 patient's though it's probably all the information you need to get through your shift! Also, the hospitals in the area are going to a 'mail-free' system now, which means you don't have any primary sheets of paper with information like this on it floating around. These will help. Thanks for your contribution, and I'm glad I viewed this thread!

-Andy, RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Those brain sheets are awesome. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@Esme12

Thank you so much for those brain sheets. I printed and saved most of them, I like the 5pg patient tool and the report sheet tool. Thanks again a bunch!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

Esme12- You are so amazing! Thank you for these, I will use them well when I start maternity nursing in the fall. Gosh, you are a life saver!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a first year nurse and have had similar things happen. In this case I would have called in my charge nurse to let her know what was going on. She could have made the arrangements for the CT scan. good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The first year after school is the hardest......nursing is a unique profession because learning how to actively care for patients themselves is after you graduate. It could have been a serious consequence for the patient if there was an active bleed that needed to be address or an increase of pressure that needed to be relieved with an EVD

The first year after school is the hardest......nursing is a unique profession because learning how to actively care for patients themselves is after you graduate.

Organization is key.......you need a brain sheet.

brain sheets.......here are a few.

doc.gif mtpmedsurg.doc doc.gif 1 patient float.doc‎

doc.gif 5 pt. shift.doc‎

doc.gif finalgraduateshiftreport.doc‎

doc.gif horshiftsheet.doc‎

doc.gif report sheet.doc‎

doc.gif day sheet 2 doc.doc

‎critical thinking flow sheet for nursing students

student clinical report sheet for one patient

I hae made some for nursing students and some other an members (Daytonite) have made these for others.....adapt them way you want. i hope they help

Thanks for sharing these awesome documents. :redpinkhe This is why i can't get enough of allnurses.com theres always something to learn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment