New Nurse OUCH!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, OR, PACU, PREOP, Ambulatory Sur.
:o:yeah::eek:It was 26 years ago, I had my first nursing job in a trauma unit. One particular night I was getting ready to give my patient a heparin shot. All you youngins won't know this but the heparin premixed syringes used to have a rubber cap over the needle. Well, in the next room, just as I uncapped my needle to give the injection, I start to hear screams for help from another newbie nurse and unbelievable slamming! So...panic stricken now as to my buddy being in dire straights in the next room, I hadn't given my shot yet!! In nursing school, a 3 year hospital school, it was DRILLED into us that you NEVER leave a med in any room or you would be in great trouble!! That in mind, I took the rubber cap as the needle was sterile, put it on but still could not decide what to do with the heparin. So, running towards the next room to help, I shoved the heparin syringe into my back pocket, quickly realizing I just got stabbed and pulled it out!! The needle had gone through the rubber cap when I put it back on but I hadn't noticed...The worst part after helping out in the next room, one of the other nurses asked me why I had blood on my pants over my butt cheek!!!! Unfortunately it was quite bloody for awhile due to the fact I stabbed myself with HEPARIN!!! Admittedly my most embarassing moment as a newbie nurse!!!
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Specializes in PERI OPERATIVE.

When I was a new surg tech I took the spike out of a bag of herparinized saline that was about 3/4 full. I had a bath in heparnized saline and then needed to take a shower in the doctors lounge (note please, that this doc lounge was also the men's locker room).

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Specializes in ER, ARNP, MSN, FNP-BC.

when I was a lot heavier than I am now, thank GOD lol, I bent over at work and split my pants from orifice to elbow LOL. thank God the ER has scrubs lol

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Specializes in endocrinology, geriatrics, dementia,.

I love all the posts, These are my favorite threads! I too have been dowsed with my share of saline, though usually on my arms etc. when hanging a new bag. Sadly I must admit it still happens once in a while when im tiered after a string of long shifts.

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I had a patient in an LTC who was just the definition of "sweet grandmother". She was soft spoken with rosy cheeks and twinkling blue eyes and curly blue/grey hair. I swear she wouldn't complain if you set her on fire!

One night, I get a call from the shower room informing me that this patient had gotten a skin tear which was bleeding and needed to be dressed. I went into the shower room with my supplies where my patient is sitting in her "birthday suit" (of course).

What made this a "unique" experience was that I happened to notice that she had a very intricate tatoo from her ankle to her hip (a climbing rose vine with a butterfly). This happened 15 years ago and she was in her late 80's at the time.

I couldn't help but stare since I always (secretly) imagined this is what Betty Crocker's grandmother might have looked like.

To my embarrassment, she noticed my stare and said "oh you noticed my tatoo, dearie?" I stuttered and stammered and she then replied "Yeah I used to be a pole dancer!" and flung her boobs like she was twirling imaginary pasties! Now I can't picture this patient any other way than that one image, burned into my mind forever!

:lol2:

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