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.
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.
@rnsheri, what specialty did you go into? I find that I Like pt care but talking to pts especially those not alerted and oriented x4 is the most difficult for me
Some days I feel like a fraud. Like I'm just pretending to be a nurse and that one day they will find out that I really know nothing at all. I know that's no true but some days i feel that way.
The worst mistake I made so far...nothing too dramatic. I forgot to re clip my patient's Foley bag so her room was pretty wet with urine. I felt really bad and the house keeping lady chewed me out for it. I was too timid in nursing school to talk so I think I've come a long way on that front.
I can't tell you how comforting this article was to me! I am waiting for nursing school to start in august. I was accepted into the Wagner College Accelerated Nursing program and i was very anxious about school and all to come after. Knowing that I will make mistakes and that like any job you learn as you go is a great help! Thanks!
Some days I feel like a fraud. Like I'm just pretending to be a nurse and that one day they will find out that I really know nothing at all. I know that's no true but some days i feel that way.
I'm a new grad and just started working at a surgery center. There was no formal training, so I felt like the most helpless, incompetent nurse ever. Mind you, I'm not very familiar with the OR as I only got 1 day of clinical rotation, and I was just thrown in there expected to know everything. At the end of the day, I spoke with the doctor who is owner of the center and told him that I need more training then this. He seemed to just brush it off and wasn't understanding. After this day I've had the worst anxiety and depression. I go back on Sunday and can't help but feel nauseous. I'm afraid to be left alone, I don't have experience yet! Being shy and such an introvert isn't much help eiither. I'm trying to hang in there and hope that things will get better. I know I just started but I'm already feeling like nursing wasn't a right choice for me.
I'm a new grad and just started working at a surgery center. There was no formal training, so I felt like the most helpless, incompetent nurse ever. Mind you, I'm not very familiar with the OR as I only got 1 day of clinical rotation, and I was just thrown in there expected to know everything. At the end of the day, I spoke with the doctor who is owner of the center and told him that I need more training then this. He seemed to just brush it off and wasn't understanding. After this day I've had the worst anxiety and depression. I go back on Sunday and can't help but feel nauseous. I'm afraid to be left alone, I don't have experience yet! Being shy and such an introvert isn't much help eiither. I'm trying to hang in there and hope that things will get better. I know I just started but I'm already feeling like nursing wasn't a right choice for me.
Your first job as a new grad can make or break you. You need to work in an environment that understands you need training and will provide it. If a physician is the one coordinating your training, that's the first issue. How can a physician know how much training a new nurse in that specialty will need? Imagine if a nurse were coordinating a physician's residency. You're already there but staying at a place that doesn't acknowledge your need for more training isn't going to be a fun place to work, I can tell you that
dcwang
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@rnsheri, what specialty did you go into? I find that I Like pt care but talking to pts especially those not alerted and oriented x4 is the most difficult for me