New Nurse...Am I Worrying Too Much?

Published

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC, Rehab, Complex Care.

Hey Everyone,

I can't sleep, of course :yawn:...and some questions came to mind...

Am I the only one who goes home at the end of each shift and plays back the entire day, wondering if I forgot something? Am I the only one who wonders how their patients are doing long after a shift has ended? Am I the only one who thinks they give a detailed report, only to realize that I forgot something important? Am I the only one who goes home and thinks that I made a med error?

Please share your thoughts and stories of when or if this has happened to you...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

You are most definitely NOT the only one to experience these things. The fact that you ARE playing back your entire day, wondering about your patients, worried over a possible med error means you are a caring nurse.

However, you really need to leave work AT work when you walk out the door. Yes, I know...easier said than done....but the stress of the worry will find ways to eat you up, affect your health in ways you'd never imagine. (I believe my recent "rare" illness is caused mostly from the stress of being in this hellacious career for 25 years--the stress eats you up if there is no way to vent it--and I have NOT had ways nor time to vent it.). It's early in your career---please find some interests/activities to occupy your time immediately after work. Good luck to you; you obviously care so will go far!

You WILL make med errors---probably many---over the course of your career--deal with them and move on; you are after all only human!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC, Rehab, Complex Care.

Thanks :) I have made one med error so far that I know of... I managed to move on from it, but it has now made me vigilant in doing my med pass. I do try to leave work at work, in fact I tell myself that...but sometimes after a difficult day, it is hard to do that.

Thanks for your reply :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do the exact same thing! I come home and process the day and wonder what I missed or could have done better. I know at some point I need to learn to leave work AT work, but right now when I process the day I'm trying to make myself a better nurse. I know errors will happen, but it's still difficult to accept. What you're feeling is completely normal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Infection Control.

Feeling the exact same thing. And on my way home I always look at my phone for any sms or call from the hospital. It's only been my fourth month at work, I've made an error once (ambiguous order from the doctor made me omit giving a medication) and that I think was the root of this feeling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just started at a LTC facility as a new graduate and i go home every nite thinking about what i forgot to tell in report or what i forgot to do. Im so stressed out its unbelievable. I feel like im clueless sometimes. I hope a hospital calls me soon. I just feel at a LTC facility you really dont learn that much. All I do is pass meds and do dsg changes to over 30 patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.
Hey Everyone,

I can't sleep, of course :yawn:...and some questions came to mind...

Am I the only one who goes home at the end of each shift and plays back the entire day, wondering if I forgot something? Am I the only one who wonders how their patients are doing long after a shift has ended? Am I the only one who thinks they give a detailed report, only to realize that I forgot something important? Am I the only one who goes home and thinks that I made a med error?

Please share your thoughts and stories of when or if this has happened to you...

Do I have a twin I don't know about?:)

I do all those things, after every shift. Even after 15 years. It no longer causes me anxiety, I just review the shift and mentally shrug. I do the best I can. I always have the pt's best interest at heart. I can't beat myself up for not being more than I am.

I will call back in to work to check on a pt that I'm particularly worried about, but I don't even do that very often anymore. I control the urge.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC, Rehab, Complex Care.

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I feel like I'm overreacting sometimes but it's better for me to think back on my day then to not care at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in neuro/ortho med surge 4.

I do it too. I have been a nurse for 18 months. Sometimes I can't sleep at night because of it. The nurses I work with tell me this will lessen with time. I try to tell myself I can not go back and change anything now but I can't seem to stop. It really is an awful feeling to think you may have done or not done something that would end up hurting a patient.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in medical with other stuff chucked in!.

i think every nurse does this to a greater or lesser degree. When you are rushed off your feet, you WILL forget to do things - you're only human - but bear in mind that nursing is a 24 hr service, and what wasn't done on your shift will be taken care of by the next shift. As long as you know you have done your best while you are there,then no-one can ask any more of you. Try to make sure your patient records are accurate throughout your shift, chronologically if possible - so that of you did forget something, the nurse on the next shift will be able to read it and act on it. Can you speak to a senior nurse in your area about this? i have been nursing for a while now, and i still feel the need to speak to my colleagues about any doubts that crop up - "did i do that ok"?, "could i have done this or that better"? "OMG, i forgot to do this or that!!!" lol

good luck with your career, i'm sure you'll be absolutely fine :):)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion