rnash679

Hi all, I am a new nurse who has been on my own for about a month. I am struggling with severe post-shift anxiety; running through everything I could have possibly done wrong. For example, I d/c a patient with a foley- provided supplies, educated on care, what to look out for, etc. They declined home care and will be following up with urology outpatient for removal/surgery for bladder removal. I covered with documenting it was okay to discharge with foley. I provided a leg bag and night bag, but what happens if they sleep in a leg bag and don't change it out? Or she gets a UTI but does not recognize symptoms? I left another patient who had critical electrolytes. I replaced everything per protocol on my shift, notified physician, and then passed all of the results to the next shift. I just worry if something were to happen to any of my patients, how much could come back on me? I constantly worry about my patients and making sure they are okay... when will this get better?? I know I am new, and learning. Any advice would be appreciated!

There was actually an order for a heparin flush for the line; this did not specify "what type" of line. I pulled the heparin and flushed the peripheral line per the MAR. However, as I was going over the MAR at the end of shift to ensure nothing was missed, I had a feeling a peripheral IV was not to be flushed with hep. I did some research, realized it is just for PICC/port and notified my preceptor. So essentially, I had an order, however I did not follow the order properly per protocol. I will never make that mistake again.

I made my first med error as a new grad; I flushed a peripheral IV with heparin flush. Didn't realize my error until shift change, 9 hours later. Patient was okay. Told my preceptor. I feel absolutely horrible and like I made a huge mistake and could have really hurt someone. How do I feel better about this? I keep stressing over the effects this could have had on my patient.