What do you fear most on the job?

Published

I was thinking about different things that scare me on any given day as far as being a nurse. I am not paranoid (really), but I would like to hear what are the common fears that you have. I think it would be good to air them, and to find solutions.

For instance, I am afraid of is hanging a wrong IV bag. I don't know why that scares me more than anything else. I go to extremes to make sure I am hanging the right one. I know of a nurse who did that and got fired instantly. So, it has always haunted me.

Specializes in floor to ICU.

Missing some crucial detail that I should have known about my patient. Something in their history, some weird side effect about the umpteen meds I am giving, the result of a lab test that is late getting processed, forgetting to document something important, making a horrible med error, ... :eek:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Getting called at home after my shift is over with someone telling me I forgot to do something or I messed up... got to love those calls eh :s

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Cath Lab, LTC.

LOL, anyone watch that show "Undercover Boss?" THATS my biggest fear. The CEO of our company coming in and possing as a new nurse and me givin' him/her an earfull. Gezzzzzzz, would just be my luck!! :eek:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LPN.

Thank you for your replies, I really feel your responses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

After reading all these posts, I really believe that nursing is way underpaid for the amount of fear (anxiety?) nurses have to deal with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

Working in our Pediatric ER and missing a critical kid ending in disability or worse as the outcome.....not a peds nurse.

Working main ER as charge....with our ton of new grads.....everything my responsibility.....missing Stemi, cva, psych, or signs of imminent code due to the craziness.

Working as staff in my ER....too many patients....too many new grads....very high acuities.....not enough help.....scary place some days.

:uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.

As a PACU nurse what makes me the most uneasy is discharging patients (we care for both inpatients and outpatients, and discharge the outpatients ourselves after hours) shortly after surgery. I always fear that I will miss something or something will go wrong after the patient leaves, especially in kids or people who're very unhealthy from the get go. I do my best to assess and document appropriately, and won't hesitate to hold onto a patient longer if I'm concerned.

The only things that truly worry me are the things that pertain to patient and personal safety. The other stuff I try to do right, but it doesn't ever keep me up at night.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A paediatric code. Always in the back of my mind when I work the kids.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, ONC, Tele, Med Surg, Endo/Output.

Losing my job because a family member just can't resist the urge to get the nurse fired.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU Level III.

Errors that harm the patient & lawsuits.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I fear mass casualties where too many are dying, and I cannot be everywhere at once.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion