Nurse Mistakes

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What is your most regrettable mistake that you have made as a new nurse?

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Not getting my own from day 1.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Not getting my BSN, now I am 48 and have to go back to school, ugh!

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Forgetting to release suction before removing a JP drain- I still feel horrible about this. :(

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Not getting my own malpractice insurance from day 1.
It should be noted (in my opinion) that this can sometimes (sadly) make you a target. I'm not saying "nurses shouldn't ever obtain " because of this; It's much more complicated than that. But it's true, you having insurance could dictate who they go after. It's all about the money.
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Using a rectal probe to take an oral temp. :p

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

Using the wrong pronoun for a transgendered patient. I knew the situation and had established a bit of a rapport early on but in a later conversation I slipped up and referred to the patient as "him". It really hurt her feelings and she got very argumentative with me after that.

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Specializes in hospice.
Using a rectal probe to take an oral temp. :p

Eeeewwww gag me with a spoon!

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
Using a rectal probe to take an oral temp. :p

Did you possibly, maybe, hopefully use a disposable cover with it???

If not, then I see why you remember this little slip-up. (smiley)

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It should be noted (in my opinion) that this can sometimes (sadly) make you a target. I'm not saying "nurses shouldn't ever obtain malpractice insurance" because of this; It's much more complicated than that. But it's true, you having insurance could dictate who they go after. It's all about the money.

This is a popular myth, but although "they" say it a lot it's complete nonsense. The only reason someone is included in a lawsuit is if they had something to do with the bad result. There is no such thing, generally speaking, as a pure nursing malpractice suit that has merit but that is not pursued because the nurse doesn't carry insurance. Even if that were the case, your license will come up for review with the board of nursing, and your insurance will pay for the lawyer you'll need for that action.

The other thing to remember is that if a suit is brought against the hospital and it doesn't name you even though your actions made for the hospital's liability, the hospital's insurance will pay the claim...and then they are completely within their rights to come after you, personally, to recover their payment. The hospital has no say in that, and they know that all along, no matter what rhymes-with-woolshirt they give you about "we'll cover you" or "we'd never let that happen." Not their call.

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Specializes in Emergency; med-surg; mat-child.
Not getting my BSN, now I am 48 and have to go back to school, ugh!

And how old will you be if you *don't* go back?

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