Deeya_rn

I've known nurses who have been hired into positions with less than the "preffered" amount of experience. If they're giving you an interview- the best thing you can do is go in there with your head held high and let them know why you'd make a great candidate. Don't let the experience thing get in the way. The worst thing they can say is no, but at least you can say you gave it your all. Lots of luck to you.

Wow! Thank you all for your amazing suggestions and feedback. I really needed a little pick-me-up and reading responses from more experienced nurses did the trick. I was beating myself up for the mistake because I never want to miss anything that if caught, would have given me the opportunity to better treat my patient. I realize now that this will be a good learning experience for me. And I definitley will be checking every inch of skin next admission I get! Thank you all again!!

I can't believe I was "that" new grad who made a mistake right off of orientation. I'm so upset with myself. So, I work on an acute surgical floor. I had an admission the other night and I did my initial assessment. My patient had a severe fracture of her femur. Her leg was twisted inward and she wouldn't even let anyone touch it without screaming bloody murder. I did my best to move her with some help. Since she was incontinent I had a good chance to check her skin on her back which was great. I noted some bruising and a few other marks. My first admission and I was super excited. I was thorough, I thought. I come in today and find out my patient had an ulcer on the ankle of her rotated leg. How did I miss this? I feel so dumb. Did I not learn anything? I can't stop crying or even sleep. This is so not like me. I'm anticipating what my nurse manager will say and I'm getting so anxious. My nurse manager hasn't said anything yet, it was another nurse who brought it to my attention first, saying that my manager will be talking to me in her office. Will I lose my job for this? I finally thought I was getting the hang of things.