Red_Diamond

I know my question seems a little ridiculous because as nurses we are supposed to be charting everything we do. I couldn't think of a concise way to word my question. I am a new nurse just off of orientation and I've been very anxious about the whole idea of getting sued or named in court in a case. I know that proper documentation is supposed to "cover your butt" in case this ever were to happen. I'm just wondering what specifically do you make sure to chart at the end of a shift, or if something happens? As a new nurse, I feel like I always leave work with the feeling that I've either forgotten to do something or chart something. I always look over my charting before I leave, but I still am reluctant. I always make sure to document if I've notified the provider for a change in status. Is there any other specific things that you make sure to chart to save yourself in case ever being in a lawsuit? I know i'm probably freaking out too much, but I'm very new and these thoughts have been making me extremely anxious. I've read that nurses can go to court for a patient they've cared for years and years ago. Thanks for your input.

Hi all. I'm a new nurse about to start my 5th week on a ENT/Urology floor. I'm about half way through orientation at this point. I hadn't had any previous experience with nursing except in clinicals during school, and I was a CNA at a long term care facility before. I'm finding the job incredibly overwhelming and difficult. I feel like one of my biggest downfalls (besides learning the flow of the unit, the different surgeries and procedures...) is keeping up with my patients. I try to write as much down as I can before I start my shift, but I feel like I forget to do so much. Just simple things like remembering to chart I's and O's, forgetting to chart that I removed an IV, or that I have to take a blood glucose right before bed. I'm feeling a little unorganized, but I also think my new preceptor has been acknowledging orders and not telling me, because for example, yesterday she had told me to stop the IV on a patient and saline lock him, but I hadn't read anything about his fluids stopping. Sorry about the long post, but does anyone have any suggestions for me starting out as a new nurse? I'm thinking about asking to extend my orientation. I feel like there's so much that I don't know. I guess I'm looking for some hope that people started out as flustered as I am right now and somehow managed to become a great nurse. I was never at the top of my class in school, I was just an average student. I'm starting to doubt if I can do this! Thanks for your input.

I'm a new grad and I just started my first nursing job on a med-surg floor. I was working as a CNA at a long-term care facility before this. An incident that I'm not fully knowledgeable happened right before I left, a few people had gotten fired. I was being nosy and I searched one name on the board of nursing website and I saw she has many disciplinary actions on her license all the way from 2011. There are conditional, suspension, and stipulation to cease practicing nursing discipline types. I'm just curious what she could have done to have so many, so that I can prevent my license ever having a discipline type. What are the most common things nurses do to give them those disciplines on their license?

Thanks, you guys, you have some really good advice! My interview is on Thursday and I'm pretty nervous but I've been researching questions and practicing.

Hello, so recently I just accepted my first nursing interview with Mayo hospital, and I am thrilled, however, super nervous as well. I was wondering if anyone could please give me some advice on the types of questions I can expect and just any advice in general!! I'm not the most talkative person, so I could really use all the tips I can get! Thanks!