Skills that we thought we would never get

Morning-glory · Nov 17, 2009

Ivanna,

That first patient was over 15 years ago now. Where did the time go?

Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2009

Sorry Morning Glory, I mis read! That time went out the window right along with the chit chat while you checked skin and private parts :)

Morning-glory · Nov 17, 2009

But the funny thing is that I still remember how I felt when he yelled at me to go away and that I could come back in a couple of minutes. We got along great afterwards, but I will always knock before entering.:tbsk:

systoly · Nov 17, 2009

Having a casual conversation with a patient while performing an invasive procedure.

Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2009

I never thought I would be able to put on my nurse shoes when my first patient died...

Patient teaching was always hard. I cringed and waited for someone to say something along the lines of "what the heck do you know?" I guess there was alot of things that I just *faked it til I made it* ~Ivanna

sasha2lady · Nov 17, 2009

When I was training to be an aide I feared bp's too. Then in ns I was terrified of CPR and forgetting what to do . I had my first code in 08 dec 26th with no help from the rn or lpn I was working with all I had was my cnas. Family members also tore my nerves apart always asking me about things I knew nothing about. Then came needles. I've had a lifelong fear of needles so iv's are still hard for me to start. I'd rather work with a picc any day vs a peripheral line . I was afraid that I'd mess up an iv and somehow stick myself instead. When my son got his first few vaccines I wouldn't hold him in my lap to let the nurse stick him for fear that they might miss and poke my leg instead. I know that sounds awful but there it is I admit it. My last and most constant fear is getting drug into a lawsuit of some kind.

pandora44 · Nov 17, 2009

I had problems with BPs, too. For some reason, I just couldn't get them right. In school, we always had to take them manually and I was petrified that I'd done it wrong and the patient would die. Eventally I learned to prefer doing it manually but it caused me so much grief. I DREADED taking a BP.

KalipsoRed · Nov 17, 2009

My fear...still my biggest fear...is that I will miss something important and someone will get hurt because of it. Alas, after staying over for at least 1 hour every shift for 6 months trying to make sure I did everything, charted everything, and didn't leave stuff I shouldn't for the next shift I've kind of come to have a 'screw it' attitude. I do my best and then I leave and hope to God that I got all of the important stuff done.

roser13, ASN, RN · Nov 17, 2009

The first time I almost tripped over an IV line, I understood my weak spot. I'm not the most graceful person and I tend to rush around. The very thought of pulling out a Foley by tripping over it just gave me the willies (not to mention what it would do to the poor patient).

My feet now stay firmly planted until I've looked down and plotted a clear path away from the bedside. I'm proud that I learned to change my ways.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Nov 17, 2009

I just knew I would suck at IVs. I figured I'd be a whiz at all the book stuff, and never be able to get a stick. When I finally got to try one, during my ER rotation, I did it just like everyone I'd ever watched: right-handed. It went just fine (with much coaching from the nurse precepting me) until it was time to screw the hub on. Blood everywhere. So I did the next left-handed, and it was easy!

Then I got my license and completely forgot how to do it. Couldn't hit a garden hose. Or I'd get the vein and couldn't advance. Or it would blow. Or it would go perfectly and I'd realize I forgot to bring tape. Aaargh!

I'll never forget one patient. She was a retired EMT. As I got my stuff together and looked for a vein, she said, "Don't be nervous." As I continued looking for an even better vein, she said, "That one you were just looking at is a pretty good one." As I stuck her, she took a paper towel in her other hand and wiped the sweat off my forehead. God bless that kind soul.

These days, I still miss one, now and then, but sometimes I start them right-handed if it's easier to reach. I just switch hands before I screw the hub on. And I don't miss many.

ETA: Oh, and I'm okay at the book stuff. Never had much trouble with the classroom side of school. But not even remotely a whiz.

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Nov 17, 2009

the fear of not remembering cpr if someone needs it :eek:

praiser :heartbeat

Morning-glory · Nov 17, 2009

Roser,

I did step on a foley hose in my first year of nursing. It came out with the bulb intact while transfering a patient from his bed to a chair. It came out and the patient had to stay in hospital for another 3 days. I, too, now look where my feet are and check for anything that might get yanked out. I keep a tidy room.