EAWM,RN

Thank you for the great replies. Im trying to take it all in stride. I think as well as all nurses are im a perfectionist, want instant gratification and hate making any mistakes even though inevitable. Peep of five.. that is awesome. stuff happens right?

I have finally joined all nurses after reading many helpful blogs and rants of nurses in similiar situations. I now need some advice, criticism or general info and and all are greatly appreciated. I graduated August 09 and went directly into an ICU setting, there wasn't a new grad program but was placed with a preceptor for about 4 months (3 days a week). My preceptor was awesome but to my disappointment there were no classes or structured inservices. In this ICU it isnt super acute like the med center but does focus on hearts and neuro (cabg and cranis) etc.. I have always been incredibly confident in my abilities, graduated at the top of my class, was a very good surg/ er tech for total of 10 years prior to Nursing, recieved multiple glowing recommendations from prev employers as such. So.... to get to the meat.... I have made quite a few mistakes in my first few months in the ICU. Those being: 1.had a cabg/resp distress, that was beligerent and upset he wasnt getting certain meds go AMA walk to front door I caught up with him and had him sign papers gave him discharge instuctions HOWEVER....I failed to take out his central line! ouch biggee, he showed up at our CV surgeons ofc at his 4 week check up with it. 2. Contaiminated blood culture bottles x2, lab said showed staph which doesnt grow unless skin not cleaned enough or site touched prior to stick. 3. During a TEE with cardioversion sedation was given and called back to doc, a month later wont sign the order bc states he called for a different dosage than order written for by me. THERE YOU HAVE IT IN A NUTSHELL. My question is, Is this common to have mistakes like this as a new grad? Is the incredible stupidity or does it all take a bit to come together? It just seems the acute situations im fine in, but some of the basic or no brainer crap bites me in the butt. Should I step down and work in a different situation and then come back to ICU or press on? Im throughly confused and want to be a great nurse but when confronted by my manager Its like he's putting me down and I begin to question myself and my choices. Once he simply told me "pull your head outa your ass" Did anyone have this type situation and how did you pull through it?