Jenny Grace

Making mistakes is a terrible feeling. Unfortunately, the only person who will never make a mistake has hung up his or her stethoscope. Please be kind to yourself- no one- no doctor, no nurse- escapes healthcare without a mistake that haunts them. You have to forgive yourself, and know that this, too, will pass.

A few things: a lot of people feel the way you do during their first year, or the first year in a new type of nursing. Be really gentle with yourself. Medication helps some people, or you can look for a new job. Whatever you do, though, remember this: the first year is incredibly hard- maybe the hardest thing you will ever do- but it will get easier. Try to take good care of yourself and be kind to yourself. Getting a massage every two weeks really helped in my first year. Take care and good luck.

Hi, I've been a nurse for 7 years now, and I promise you that the first year is the hardest. I was a flight nurse in Iraq... and that was nothing compared to my first year as a med/surg nurse. Be kind to yourself... it will get better. Try to "put the monster in the box", that is, let things go. Don't think about work when you aren't there. Everyone makes mistakes- nurses, doctors, everyone. Just do your best, know that everyone felt or feels the way you do, and be gentle with yourself. I promise you, it will get better.