adam123

Thank you to all the amazing nurses for your feedback. I learned a lot from reading each message and feel empowered to keep learning as a nurse and hopefully become an ICU nurse that empowers other people. I will keep this in mind for next time and use this as a growing opportunity. So thankful for each and one of your responses!

And he wasn't asking for any pain meds or anything at all. He slept majority of the night and i gave him one pain pill towards the end of shift. This whole thing happened at the beginning of the shift and he went to sleep right after. He was easily woken from sleep and was compliant with everything.

Vital signs were normal, he was AxO 3-4 and he was answering questions appropriately; however, there was a language barrier so we had to use a phone to translate. I know if he was acting out of the norm, i would of asked another nurse and definitely called the doc. I guess it's because every time I interested with this particular nurse, i feel so anxious because i have made other mistakes around her and i know she thinks i lack judgement compare to our other co workers. The day shift nurse also mentioned that the family was concerned about the patient lying in general because the Pt had lied about his medical condition but he was also oblivious about his condition until the docs spoke to him about his ct scan and possible Mets from his previous CA. He was told he was in remission for years and finally came to the hospital for back pain. That's what led to a ct scan, which subsequently led him becoming hospitalized.

I've been a nurse for 1 year now. I still feel so inadequate in my decision to help patients. I lack judgement and common sense. Is there any helping me....i really don't know at this point. For example, recently a patient came in w chronic back pain from cancer. He has orders for pain management. However, when I went to his room, I saw an empty bottle or Percocet on his bed. I asked through a translator if he had taken any of these medications. He denied it and eventually I took his word for it and moved on. I explained it was imperative for me to know if he had taken any but he assured me he did not take any extra medication. He wasn't acting strange and there wasn't anything alarming in his demeanor that caused me to think he did take it but I should have at least call the doctor.....and I didn't.  My issue with this situation is that I should have at least called the doctor or inform the charge nurse but I did not....why....i have no idea. I honestly forgot. I know it's so stupid on my end. To think I actually want to be an ICU nurse and I lack common sense. I have no idea if I will ever improve because i know the number one role as a nurse is patient safety.   As i was giving report, it clicked and i told the other rn about the situation. She said she would inform the doctor but i knew she wondered why i didn't. It was a very quiet ride home because I felt horrible about how i forgot to mention this to the md and at least charge nurse. Any advice would be sooooo appreciated no matter how hard it is to hear. Thank you.