want to quit so bad=(

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well i am on a med sug unit and this is my last day on this floor till i go to my floor ccu step down. Well i made another mistake yesterday! I forgot to check a ptt for a pt on a heprin drip and then had to do a stat ptt and reajust the rate from that hours later! I really dont see how i can do anything better. Its so obvious that that should have been a priority. But i have no reason why i forgot. Maybe i am not cut out to be nurse:crying2: the only reason i have not given notice is i feel it would be should a horriable feeling to fail at this. But it made me panic about when i go to the ccu step down. If i made this silly mistake, what about the ccu step down where i could kill some one with a error!!!!!!!!!!!!! ugh i feel horriable:crying2: should i just quit now? please help

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

As humans, we all make mistakes. I try to have labs that I have to have drawn marked down on a paper, and I have a watch that beeps every hour, which gives me a chance to think, "should i be doing something right now?" It takes a while to find what works for you to help you remember. There's so much that you can't remember without figuring out tricks.

I'm sure you'll do fine, give yourself a chance!

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At the bottom of each patient's sheet I always write down the time medications are due, i.e "7-8-9-12-14-17-18". When something comes up that is time specific, i.e. call the doc at this time or draw a lab at this time or check lab results at this time, I include the time on my medication timeline with a note of why I put the time there. I've tried other ways but this seems to work the best for me since I'm always looking at my med timelines. Don't worry, you'll figure out what way works best for you over time. And don't be afraid to ask for tips from other nurses on the floor too.

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Specializes in OR.

Hang in there you can do it positive affirmation and keep your head up...its completely normal to make mistakes . Ask questions whenever you feel unsure about a task or medication dosage/time table !!!!!

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If you quit now and find another place to work, you'll inevitably make mistakes. Making mistakes is one part of the learning process. You know that in the future you'll be double checking the ptt for heparin so just learn from the situation and move on. Even the best nurses make errors. It's just human nature to do so every now and then. Don't beat yourself up! Do your best each and every day. In a few months, you'll be proud of how far along you've come :)

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Specializes in Trauma, Cardiac Cath/Special procedures.

One thing my kids grandmother always says "Why do you think they put an eraser on a pencil?" Mistakes happen but the key is to learn from it. Pace yourself, find your rhythm, leave notes for your self. Sometimes I paper clip notes on my jacket to help me remember. Hope this helps and keep your spirts up. !!!!!:twocents: Just my 2 cents for the day

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Specializes in pediatrics, oncology.

Don't give up yet! You can do it if you want to do it. If you feel you'd be happier and safer staying on the med/surg floor a little longer instead of going to step-down, talk to your preceptor or manager about your options for that. BEST OF LUCK!

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Specializes in Peds Hem, Onc, Med/Surg.

While you made this mistake, I assure you, you won't make that mistake again.

its how we learn. Deep breathes. YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS! :D

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