crispix

I am losing my mind and need to vent, and seek advice. I have made 13 med errors at the job I started in January. I have been a nurse for 15 years and havent made that many in my entre career. The last 4 years I know my nursing has declined in quality. I used to be the one you turned to for help, for the answer, who knew alot, and was proud of her job. I now feel I know nothing and dont ask me for help cause I cant do *my* job let alone yours too. I have just had one of the worst weeks at my job and in my life. The state visited for their yearly inspections, found a resident without O2 who is supposed to have it on at all times, no she wasnt in distress, O2 sat was fine, but we will get dinged for that screw-up. I fully expected to be fired for it, but so far that hasnt happened. Wasnt entirely my fault, but if I was a better nurse like the one I was working with who made rounds when we got done with report and fixed all *her* problems, well, this wouldnt have happened. I am 2 years behind on my taxes and our wunnerful state passed a law this year that if you arent current on all state taxes you lose your license. I have of course waited till the last minute to fix this problem, but I just may make it. I have had depression for years, it is being treated but hasnt been very good lately. My emotions have been a rollercoaster lately, up down, around a curve, stable, then bam, back down again. I feel I either need to quit nursing all together cause I cant give it my best anymore,since I dont have any "best" in me. It is hard to be a nurse and care and do your job when inside youre a mess and all you want to do is go home and cry under the covers. I just dont know what else I can do. I just know I am not able to function well all the time now, and I cant keep going like I am. My employer and above all my residents deserve better.

Sorry to hear about your patient....hang in there,hun. Christine

I prefer to use butterflies,they are easier to handle than the 21g vacutainer needles(IMHO)and,if it is a slow draw you can attach a small syringe. I have worked on floors where they tell the staff not to use them due to the cost.But,if you are unable to get the blood using a vacutainer,rather than stick the patient several times,why not use a butterfly and do it once?I never could understand their logic,especially since the majority of the patients were ederly with fragile veins.Butterflies just work better,I think. Christine:p

Adding my 2 cents here...I have been a nurse for 12 years,and recently left a hospital because they didnt see LPN's as "real nurses" any more...the exact quote from my supervisor was"We just dont know how to utilize LPN's right now." I kid you not.GRRRRRRRR Anyway,in my opinion,a "real nurse" is one that doesnt mind doing those "boring" things,because it is all part of her job,in giving "total patient care".This includes passing those meds,bathing that patient,holding that trembling hand,listening to that scared little old man,hugging that family who just lost their parent...so many things...it is all part of being a real nurse. In my opinion...that nurse needs to find another profession. Christine:p