Remember that time long, long ago when you were green and not very confident? Or maybe you still are in that hard situation and want to know yes, it will pass? This article highlights some of my bloopers as a nursing student/new nurse. As you can see, I was not a quick learner but became a confident, content Med/Surg nurse. I think most of my mistakes can top other young nurses' bloopers, and if not, it's something to share.
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I was a new nurse not too many years ago, but I still remember the stress. I was very shy as a nursing student and as a new graduate. I felt like I was the most hopeless nurse in the world. I had very little confidence in myself and frequently put myself down. I know many students/new nurses feel the same, so here's a little list of my mistakes or mistakes others have made that I am aware of.
Actually broke a vital sign machine at one of my clinical sites. My instructor was furious. So were the nurses who worked on the floor.
I always said "I'm sorry". Every mistake, everything I didn't know, I would repeatedly apologize. I was very insecure.
I stumbled through most phone conversations with physicians. I always seemed to be missing an important value, said "Um..." all the time, talked a million miles an hour (ripping off the bandaid, I thought), and usually wound up crying if the doctor fussed at me. I couldn't understand some of the physicians' accents over the phone and had to ask "Can you repeat that?" after every order.
I once spilled a pitcher of ice water on a post-partum patient-and her cell phone. Babies, especially newborns, were terrifying to me. They were so delicate and fragile-I was always afraid I was holding them wrong, changing them wrong, and pretty much doing everything wrong. What was the worst was that my classmates loved the babies and seemed so confident-and the instructor was impatient with me. (I think she was still mad about the BP machine on top of being frustrated with my insecurity. I don't fault her. I was hopeless in Maternity. I like my adults and little elderly people.)
My conversations with patients were sometimes very awkward. I didn't know what to say or what to do when a patient expired and the family was actively grieving. I asked a woman who had had a hysterectomy if the baby was a boy or girl. I once offered to help a double amputee to the toilet. I have mistaken a man for a woman. My cheeks were constantly red with embarrassment or frustration. Why can't I do anything right? I'll never be a good nurse. What's wrong with me? Why can't I do ANYTHING right? Everyone seems to "get it" but me. What's their secret?
I was also intimidated by the other nurses. They seemed to know so much, and could sometimes could be very short with me. I later learned that their frustration wasn't personal-their job was fast-paced and demanding, and it usually more time for me to perform a task than the nurse could do herself.
And everybody knew everybody but me. During down time I would read charts over and over because I felt absolutely out of place. Or I would read textbooks or drug guides because I didn't want to interrupt the nurses' conversations about aspects of their lives that I didn't know.
8. Got tripped up my multiple IV lines, or catheters, or the side of the bed-everything. I was so wrapped up with my emotional insecurity that I didn't notice things I should've noticed. I only tripped and dislodged one IV, but of course he was a hard stick and was furious that I was so clumsy and that he needed to have a new IV put in. He of course wanted a new nurse.
I spilled urine all over myself while trying to empty a catheter. I've gotten poop on my pants and shoes and lab jacket. I've been vomited on and bled on.
I've known a few new nurses and nursing students who have been soaked with IV fluids when they accidentally punctured the bag. One girl ruptured a blood bag all over herself and her patient.
I've tripped over my own feet and face-planted in the hall, spilling meds everywhere.
I knew about nursing students who had confused the red and blue thermometers.
One of my classmates fainted in the OR. Luckily, he did not contaminate the sterile field or take anyone else out with him. He became an excellent surgical nurse and later a nurse anesthetist.
The bottom line is that we aren't perfect, but with perseverance even the most awkward, timid nurse can succeed. You learn from your mistakes. You hone your skills with repetition. The first year and a half, I wasn't confident. I now know that confidence comes with experience. So, for those of you who feel stressed, hopeless, and awkward, know that those feelings are shared by many. You're not alone.
