Will I ever get over this? Personally or professionally.

netglow, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2012

:hug:

iluvhrts · Mar 7, 2012

Ok, well first of all... **** happens. People make mistakes. You caught yours and admitted it. Kudos for that. Some people would have never admitted it. Your patient did not die. And you monitored it appropriately. You will be obsessive about insulin from now on. And about the five rights. You will have to put it on your resume. And when asked be honest about why you lost your job and what you learned from it. Did you get fired per policy or did you quit? Deep Breath... It will be OK

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 7, 2012

It probably won't make you feel less guilty, but I certainly would not have fired you if you worked for me. You made a careless mistake - one that you will undoubtedly NEVER make again. Based on my own experience as a manager, I would expect you to now be one of the safest and most rule-abiding nurses when it comes to medication administration in general, and insulin specifically. The patient did not suffer ill effects because of your immediate response & diligence in following up.

We have all made mistakes - and undoubtedly will again as long as we continue to participate in patient care. You have learned a lot from this incident. Forgive yourself & move on.

MJB2010 · Mar 7, 2012

Do you have a second nurse check your insulin? There is a reason most places have this policy. Mistakes do happen, and we all make them. Your patient is ok, and that is the best case scenario as far as making mistakes go. Don't let this end you, you need to learn from it and move on. When you know better,you do better.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2012

I had the same thought as MJB2010... does your facility require a double check with insulin? I have never worked in a facility that didn't require this. You will recover, learn and move on. If this facility is so unsupportive that they would fire someone after one mistake, you're probably better off not working for them.

caliotter3 · Mar 7, 2012

Put yourself together enough to look for work and act professionally during an interview. Practice answering any biting questions and not offering anything negative. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by falling apart and gushing about this incident the next time you interview. It happened. You learned. You don't have to suffer forever. Yes, there are people who never would have told a soul. There would have been 66 units missing from the bottle and everyone would have been wondering why. And that person would not have been fired. That is how many people keep their job from day to day. You owned up. Now don't let this stop you. Good luck.

sharpeimom · Mar 7, 2012

certainly list that work experience when you job hunt. being caught in a lie is much much worse than having listed a job where you were

[/i] fired. i never filled out an application, whether it was a fast food joint in college or a nursing job, that i didn't have to state that "...i attest that all information given is correct to the best of my knowledge..." there are lies of commission as well as lies of omission, and your lie would be a lie of omission.

don't blow it because you're scared, weepy, and feel like the worst nurse ever, because you are not. you made a mistake. ok... you did all the right things afterwards and your patient was fine. i feel your boss fired you unfairly. had i been your supervisor, i'd have counseled you, retrained you, and perhaps something would have gone into your file.:hug:

mazy · Mar 7, 2012

We all make mistakes. We learn from them and move on. Sounds like you learned a lot from this mistake, so remember that and move on.

I think one way to look at it is to consider this to be a "practice job." Even though you think you were a failure, I am sure that you learned a lot in those two months -- about yourself, your limitations, your strengths, and the profession of nursing -- that will serve you well in the future.

Wish you the best.:heartbeat

PediLove2147, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2012

I agree with everyone who says you shouldn't have been fired. I made my first med error a month back and I can tell you I am now more careful then ever, especially about halving my pills (I gave the full dose when I should have given half). You will be the same with insulin. You are not a horrible nurse and I know another nurse manager will give you a second chance because they too know that mistakes happen.

Nothing to do with the OP but I work at a facility that does not require a second check with insulin unless it is IV.

lynchi7 · Mar 8, 2012

I'm sorry this happened to you. We're all human and we all make mistakes. You did the right thing by owning up to your mistake and staying with the patient. There are nurses who wouldn't and would try to sweep it under the rug. You didn't deserve to be fired. I would make sure you still list this job on your resume. Better to be honest about it.

I know you feel terrible. It's ashame your facility wasn't more understanding and supportive. Try not to be hard on yourself. Take it as a learning experience...it's a tough one...but you'll turn out to be a better nurse for it!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 8, 2012

Take a deep breath,,, and repeat. You did NOT almost kill someone. You did NOT deserve to lose your job!!

I imagine you are cried out, no harm with a good cry. Just don't cry over it anymore.. it is wasted energy.

What kind of facility were you working at? I am thinking it is a LTC that gave you minimal orientation. Correct me if I am wrong. You reacted to .. and handled the situation perfectly.

Shame on that facility for not viewing that as a teachable moment.

I would also leave that bs off my resume.Two months will not affect your job search.

You must learn from this(I know you have)... and move FORWARD.

I couldn't nurse my way out of a wet paper bag after 2 months on the job, I might have even made the same mistake , but was too dumb to realize it. We learn and grow with every situation.

Stop beating yourself up for this!