UGH! I get so upset with myself...

lovemyjob · Jun 11, 2006

I have been in the NICU for almost a year now and I still do that occasionally. Learn to listen to that voice...its called your instinct. Ask until you feel comfortable with your decisions. I always feel safer when I know my decision is shared by the general census!!

TazziRN, RN · Jun 11, 2006

You need to realize that the little voice is trying to tell you something so maybe "you'd do well to shut up and listen"! Teasing, not trying to be harsh. Seriously, people relatively new in nursing often have trouble believing that the little voice just might know what it's talking about. It hasn't let you down yet, has it?

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jun 11, 2006

If you have doubts there is no law saying you have to wait until the next asessment time to check them again. With a walkie-talkie it's as easy as looking at the moniter and saying to them "better, or worse?" If they say worse you swing into the full assessment.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2006

Besides listening to your inner voice, it doesn't sound like you are utilizing the voice of experience. Are you colloborating with your charge nurse or a nurse mentor?

Nothing wrong with going to an experienced nurse saying "the patient came in with dehydration, am I hearing congestion from a source like pneumonia or is the patient wet from too rapid of IV infusing". "The patient is experiencing uncomfortable side effects from the Nitro, which patients often do, should I give another?".

New grad nurses off orientation still come to me with questions. I often collaborate with coworkers often. You're not going to know what do do with each and every situtation. Listen to your inner voice, but before you follow it, discuss it with someone with experience.

Sounds like you're doing a good job. There are situations that come up from time to time that we question ourselves and beat ourselves up over. Be gentle with your self.

Good luck!

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 11, 2006

I agree with Tweety- if you're not sure, it's very OK to ask for a second opinion. I get questions all the time from newer nurses, or even experienced ones who think they might be missing something. 9 times out of 10, two collaborating nurses will come to the correct conclusion in these cases.

Listen to your inner voice, and know that it takes years to make an eperienced and confident nurse. As a charge nurse, I can say I'd much rather have a newer nurse who has lots of questions than one who is overconfident and dangerous.

grinnurse, RN · Jun 11, 2006

I am just off my first year of nursing and still ask tons of questions and like stated by others have found it some times difficult to go with my judgement on my own. But it is getting somewhat better. At the hospital that I just left I had access to so many wonderful experienced nurses especially the one that I did most of my precepting with that I could ask any question of, no matter how stupid I thought it was, and receive their knowledge. Alot of times I would just go to them and tell them, ok.....this is what I see or this is what I think is going on with this pt, am I thinking on the right lines or is there something else I could look at to make sure that I am right? Just doing that has helped with my confidence and learning that it still amazes me.

Don't be afraid to continue to ask questions of the experienced nurses b/c we can learn so much from them.

banditrn · Jun 11, 2006

I asked so many 'dumb' questions when I was new!! :lol2: It's how you learn!!

I still ask questions sometimes, but now I'm able to 'pay back' some of the nurses who helped me by helping the newer nurses.

I also find the newer nurses helpful sometimes - they're fresh out of school, and have the newest, latest info on things, so it's a two-way street.

Heck, now that I work in LTC, I will ask questions of the CNA sometimes - they're familiar with the patients past behavior, and when a problem arises, they can tell me if this is something the patient has done in the past, or is this a brand new situation?

newtelenurse · Jun 11, 2006

Thank you guys,

I will listen to that voice a little harder. I like the idea of saying... this is what I think. What do you think?

I need to give myself credit for the good calls I do make, and quit beating myself up for the ones I second guess. It is good to know that I am not the only one who continues to ask... just to be sure.

judy ann · Jun 11, 2006

Where I come from, that little voice is called "The Big Finger" --- The big finger of God pecking you on the shoulder and saying "Pay attention, I have a biggie for you".

TazziRN, RN · Jun 11, 2006

Where I come from, that little voice is called "The Big Finger" --- The big finger of God pecking you on the shoulder and saying "Pay attention, I have a biggie for you".

Ooooo, I like that!!!! I gotta remember that one!

burn out · Jun 11, 2006

I have been at it 20 years and still ask questions even when I know the answer..sometimes it helps to have things validated esp. in critical situations. I would rather answer someones question than to help them code their patient.