worst clinical story please??

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  • by tcpmom
    Specializes in Med surg.

You are reading page 3 of worst clinical story please??

Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

WOW, some of these are bad.

But, you asked for it --- here goes...

As a medic, head on MVA. Bystander cradling the teen (my patient) beside road, obvious femur fx (leg bent at unnatural angle) teen complaining of "Not able to breathe...chest hurts." Started to immobilize teen for transport (placed c-collar & onto long spine board), was placing her into ambo when she (all 110#) raised up and grabbed me by the collar (with amazing strength) and begged "Please don't let me die. I can't die. I can't breathe."

It took a deputy sheriff to pry her hands off my neck and as we got her loaded into the truck - she continued the "I can not breathe, please don't let me die" and with her looking at me, fully aware - I was in the unfortunate position of placing an oral ET without the benefit of medications (RSI was not used at that time) and proceeded with internal jugular IV placement. Yep, the helicopter got her to the Level I - but, as her aorta was badly torn - she had an injury that was incompatible with life. All her begging and my efforts were not enough.

FYI- her mom came to see me multiple times afterward. It broke my heart. I told mom that she did not suffer (I know -- don't thump me too hard), etc...I could do nothing else for my patient, but I tried to comfort mom. I think knowing that EVERYTHING that could have been done was - well, I hope it helped her to find peace.

New at clinical rotations - an elderly lady presented with abdominal pain. Long story short. Pt alert, orientated and made her own oatmeal that morning. When her labs came back - among other issues - her WBC count was 65. Sepsis. (been having slight UTI sx for a few days - "didn't want to bother anyone") The ED doc advised me she would be dead before my shift ended. Sure enough - she decompensated and died. I spent the shift with the patient, called her family and did her post mortem care. Life is that fragile.

Another clinical - in OB. 17 year old mom, c-sectioned with twins. Both doing great. Mom went into DIC. 60+ units blood, FFP, cryo -you name it. NOTHING worked. Coded "mom" for 2 hours. "Blood" ran from her eye, ears, nose - etc. Bad. Everyone cried. LOTS! I hate OB!

A SORTA GOOD ONE BELOW!

A lesson in judgement, compassion and chocolate!

As an ICU nurse. Took care of a patient 550# and of (God forgive me) nasty disposition. Screamed "Nurse, nurse!" all shift. No one else would care for her. Had a hx of respiratory arrest, intubation. Not ambulatory x years (sad etiology - pt was young 50's, mentally quite intact). Pt had decub's the size of my head - required painful care. Anyway, just a heartbreaking case. But, the screaming for no good reason (other than she could) was wearing me down!

Finally, I just went to her and pleaded for mercy. Screaming was fine when alarm was necessary - but...

I had brought some Hershey's kisses to work and out of desperation I asked if she like chocolate. She did! ;) I offered to come in and feed her a "kiss" for every hour that she was quiet. (Now, screaming was okay if a problem came up - but, I was watching her very close anyway) Well, she was a model patient after that (hey, I was out of options). She had remarked that they never give her chocolate at "the rest home" because of her diabetes. She was terminal - and at this point - what could it hurt? I was doing q4hr FSBS and covered with SSI - so.....

Her blood sugars were stable - no effect. But the screaming did stop. She became pleasant. I grew attached - was able to spend therapeutic time, she had a lot of great stories to share from a full life prior to this terrible disease. I even brought her Wendy's cheeseburgers and pizza. None of the other nurses could figure out why she was a great patient with me, but a real PITA when I was off. I never told anyone! I just told 'em that I was ONE GREAT NURSE! Ha Ha!

I have lots of others - will try to think of the worst ER one - there are sooooo many! :eek:

PRACTICE SAFE!

:)

kcangel, LPN

48 Posts

Specializes in pediatric, neonatal, ER/trauma, camp.

Worst instructor awards -

When I think of clinicals I think of a mean ole' bat instructor that I had. She made us write 13-15 page care plans. I still can't figure out what for. Now that I've been a nurse for 12 years I know what I knew then - good nurses don't really need a care plan! Everything is in their head! They are pointless.

Anway I heard that she always picked one student each semester to pick on - and I was it. Nothing I said was ever right, she constantly questioned me and berated me, she made feel like a loser and that I would never be a good nurse. One day I was assigned an elderly woman who was supposed to go for a mastectomy. When I arrived to the floor early that morning I reviewed her chart and realized that her surgery was canceled for some reason. So when my instructor starting asking me about her surgery (she didn't know it was canceled) I told her that the patient never had it. I thought she was going to tear into me. She grabbed her chart and started going through it. When she realized I was right, she threw the chart back in the rack and while she was turning to walk away in a fury, all she could spit out was "well, she was supposed to have it".

And then to top it off - while I got A's & B's in all my other classes, she failed me in my introductory clinical rotation - which was supposed to be the easiest. I cried my eyes out. I heard later that she was eventually fired because of too many student complaints.

And while I'm on bad clinical instructors - my critical care clinical instructor wasn't that bad as far as teaching and stuff but in one of my reviews she told me she was going to dock me a letter grade because my shoes were too scuffed up (white leather). That ended up causing me to get a "C".

midcom

428 Posts

My worse really wasn't all that bad looking back at it now. It was my last day in clinicals during my 1st term in LPN school. In our school only those of us who are not CNAs have to take that clinical. We were basicly doing CNA work. My teacher assigned me to a woman who was known to be a bit beligerant, who had refused to be showered for 2 weeks. I was told that I HAD to give her a shower & it had to be done in an hour as her sitter was due.

I woke her up & she was mad at me for doing that. I asked her if she wanted to use the bathroom & she grumbled but agreed. So I go to help her to her WC & she changes her mind, just as I get her away from the bed and lets her legs buckle. It was obvious I couldn't hold her up so I gently laid her on the floor, instead of dropping her. I put a pillow under her head, told her I'd get help & set off to find my teacher. She was great & told me that I did the right thing by laying her on the floor & helped me get her up, all the while the lady was yelling that we were killing her.

Then I got to convince her to let me give her a shower. Oh, she was mad and if it had been my choice, I'd have let her have her way but I didn't have that choice. I finally got her to the shower & she wasn't happy. Kept accusing me of playing with her breasts & worse. I just kept going, all the while wondering just why I was doing this when I could be home. I kept trying to find something I thought she'd be interested in & finally started chatting about my granddaughter. I told her something funny that Emilee did & she got quiet & started listening. Soon she was laughing. We got the shower done & I got her dressed & although not happy about it, she was no longer mad. Before I left, I found out why I was doing this. That nasty cantankerous woman told me I was a "nice girl" & that she was happy that she no longer smelled bad. Oh, and I got a good grade from my teacher.

Dixie

YooperNurse

35 Posts

Okay, here's mine. I was working med/surg on the 3-11 shift. It was a Sunday. We were short staffed, 2 on a team of 12. We had a respiratory isolation patient who was 500 plus pounds. At 6 pm I found an order written by a resident for a soap suds enema!!! The order of course had been written at 10 a.m. and day shift conveniently "forgot" to tell us about it. THAT was the worst day of my career, I think.

Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.
but do you ever find it really hard to care? or even, worse, do you ever not care? I mean, how do find the inner strength or just plain ole' stamina to clean up someone who is yelling at you? I just wish I could buy an "encouragement pill" . I'm looking for a quick fix to my feelings of inadequacy and fear!

I still care, but I don't take anything personally anymore. I'm just the person in the scrubs that the patients think they can yell at, throw their bedpan, dentures or poop (happened once - I have developed cat-like reflexes...:lol2: ). And once I stopped taking things personally, it got much easier to do my job - and I became far more therapeutic since I am not there to be their friend. Nurse and advocate - absolutely. I treat everyone with the respect and compassion that I'd want my grandmother treated with, but I set firm limits and expect human-like behavior in turn.

So here's your quick fix. Pretend it doesn't get to you and eventually it won't. Still show the same level of respect and dignity to your patients, and never let them see you sweat - think "unflappable".

Blee

dream'n, BSN, RN

1,162 Posts

Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.
WOW, some of these are bad.

But, you asked for it --- here goes...

As a medic, head on MVA. Bystander cradling the teen (my patient) beside road, obvious femur fx (leg bent at unnatural angle) teen complaining of "Not able to breathe...chest hurts." Started to immobilize teen for transport (placed c-collar & onto long spine board), was placing her into ambo when she (all 110#) raised up and grabbed me by the collar (with amazing strength) and begged "Please don't let me die. I can't die. I can't breathe."

It took a deputy sheriff to pry her hands off my neck and as we got her loaded into the truck - she continued the "I can not breathe, please don't let me die" and with her looking at me, fully aware - I was in the unfortunate position of placing an oral ET without the benefit of medications (RSI was not used at that time) and proceeded with internal jugular IV placement. Yep, the helicopter got her to the Level I - but, as her aorta was badly torn - she had an injury that was incompatible with life. All her begging and my efforts were not enough.

FYI- her mom came to see me multiple times afterward. It broke my heart. I told mom that she did not suffer (I know -- don't thump me too hard), etc...I could do nothing else for my patient, but I tried to comfort mom. I think knowing that EVERYTHING that could have been done was - well, I hope it helped her to find peace.

New at clinical rotations - an elderly lady presented with abdominal pain. Long story short. Pt alert, orientated and made her own oatmeal that morning. When her labs came back - among other issues - her WBC count was 65. Sepsis. (been having slight UTI sx for a few days - "didn't want to bother anyone") The ED doc advised me she would be dead before my shift ended. Sure enough - she decompensated and died. I spent the shift with the patient, called her family and did her post mortem care. Life is that fragile.

Another clinical - in OB. 17 year old mom, c-sectioned with twins. Both doing great. Mom went into DIC. 60+ units blood, FFP, cryo -you name it. NOTHING worked. Coded "mom" for 2 hours. "Blood" ran from her eye, ears, nose - etc. Bad. Everyone cried. LOTS! I hate OB!

A SORTA GOOD ONE BELOW!

A lesson in judgement, compassion and chocolate!

As an ICU nurse. Took care of a patient 550# and of (God forgive me) nasty disposition. Screamed "Nurse, nurse!" all shift. No one else would care for her. Had a hx of respiratory arrest, intubation. Not ambulatory x years (sad etiology - pt was young 50's, mentally quite intact). Pt had decub's the size of my head - required painful care. Anyway, just a heartbreaking case. But, the screaming for no good reason (other than she could) was wearing me down!

Finally, I just went to her and pleaded for mercy. Screaming was fine when alarm was necessary - but...

I had brought some Hershey's kisses to work and out of desperation I asked if she like chocolate. She did! ;) I offered to come in and feed her a "kiss" for every hour that she was quiet. (Now, screaming was okay if a problem came up - but, I was watching her very close anyway) Well, she was a model patient after that (hey, I was out of options). She had remarked that they never give her chocolate at "the rest home" because of her diabetes. She was terminal - and at this point - what could it hurt? I was doing q4hr FSBS and covered with SSI - so.....

Her blood sugars were stable - no effect. But the screaming did stop. She became pleasant. I grew attached - was able to spend therapeutic time, she had a lot of great stories to share from a full life prior to this terrible disease. I even brought her Wendy's cheeseburgers and pizza. None of the other nurses could figure out why she was a great patient with me, but a real PITA when I was off. I never told anyone! I just told 'em that I was ONE GREAT NURSE! Ha Ha!

I have lots of others - will try to think of the worst ER one - there are sooooo many! :eek:

PRACTICE SAFE!

:)

You brought me to tears. I have a couple of stories (not from clinicals) but really don't feel up to sharing them here right now. Just wanted to say that NREMT, you sound like an awesome nurse!

Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

Great stories here. I just had an experience in m/s clinical but it really doesn't compare to anything here. The pt in the bed next to my pt was in pain and needed something. My fellow nursing student was there taking care of her so I informed the pt that I would inform her nurse and walked out. Just that. nothing else. Well the pt turns to my friend and says, "I can't stand the incompetence here!

Ooops this got posted without me finishing the story.

Well my friend says sorry is there anyting I can do thinking the patient is talking about her and the patient says, "No I wasn't talking about you! Its that other girl! She's so incompetent!" :lol2: LOL I had not even taken care of her but she already complained that I was incompetent!

But my worse clinical day so far has to be when I was doing injections at the peds clinic. I passed the oral test for immunizations which went on for one hour The teacher would ask me questions about the diseases, immunizations etc and I had to answer them all correctly or be sent home, and then it was time to start giving kids their immunizations. I was criticized the entire time. I grew more and more nervous as the day wore on because the teacher kept making negative comments about me. I began to shake all over because according to the teacher I did everything wrong. She would do all the talking to the parents and kids and hold the arm/leg of the child and not take it off when I was trying to give the injection. I hadn't learned that way and should have just put my own hand over hers but in my nervousness I forgot things, like I would forget to aspirate first before giving an IM injection. She would give me a dirty look and one time waved me away when the parent wasn't looking. Looking back I think that she was just thinking out loud. But she was very negative and said things like I can't teach you if you aren't going to listen to me. But she didn't instruct me on how to do injections. I learned that in school. She just instructed on how to draw. Things went from bad to worse. I'm surprised I passed at all. I had never realized how bad someone's words could make you feel. I thought that I was old enough and had a high enough self esteem that soemthing like that wouldn't affect me. But the effect it had on me showed me that a person's words were a powerful thing. I went home and showered the nervous sweat off of me. It was all I could do to keep from crying. :o

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Clinical stories? Oh, boy, you asked for it....

So, my very first clinical day, I go in all excited and get ready to fingerstick this guy with really rough pads.....I go to stick, stick 1...no blood... stick again, no blood, stick 3xs got blood...MY OWN....I had the lancet backwards....felt really stupid the rest of that morning, but I did teach the guy how to use his sitz bath.....

Fast forward to another clinical a few weeks later....had this one cranky old guy who insisted that he wanted to walk....well, I had 2 patients, both with numerous meds due in 20 mins, and tried to ask him to wait until I returned with his meds(and I was going to go see the other gentleman sooner than that so I could ensure he got his meds on time too)....well, nothing doing. He proceeded to get up, and nearly ripped out his foley, then yelling at me for him having pain "down there"....what a fun day....

When it comes to work, I just about have a story every day so I can't remember any to really state up here, without confusing details around....lol.

Specializes in ED/Psych.

Hi:

I have to laugh about this now but I had a clinical on a geri-psych floor once and the pt was a female who seemed to be quite nice until after getting her on the toilet, I turned around to get some toilet paper for her and she literally grabbed my bottom and then started telling me in graphic terms how much she liked my breasts and that she loved my "long legs that went right up to my crotch" (eyeballing me from bottom up the whole time). I was not too sure how to handle this and then she kept telling me that she wanted my badge picture. Later in the day, the social worker came in to chat with her and she said she needed help getting up, so he put both arms around her, and she then proceeded to grab his crotch and wouldn't let go "until he gives me a kiss" She was about 85 yrs old, and the poor man was turning red cause I think she had a pretty good grip.......he couldn't let her go cause she would have fallen so I was trying to help hold her and she started telling me that he was hers and that I should get the f*** away from him.............that was quite a day!

Carla

tcpmom

16 Posts

Specializes in Med surg.
I still care, but I don't take anything personally anymore. I'm just the person in the scrubs that the patients think they can yell at, throw their bedpan, dentures or poop (happened once - I have developed cat-like reflexes...:lol2: ). And once I stopped taking things personally, it got much easier to do my job - and I became far more therapeutic since I am not there to be their friend. Nurse and advocate - absolutely. I treat everyone with the respect and compassion that I'd want my grandmother treated with, but I set firm limits and expect human-like behavior in turn.

So here's your quick fix. Pretend it doesn't get to you and eventually it won't. Still show the same level of respect and dignity to your patients, and never let them see you sweat - think "unflappable".

Thank you. That sounds like it will work for me. I'll keep you posted.

Megsd, BSN, RN

723 Posts

Specializes in Neuro.

Worst clinical day was caring for a 30 year old woman who had major complications from an abdominal GSW (theories were it was either self-inflicted or her husband shot her -- she refused to state what happened). She had a PEG tube in place, but it looked like the sutures had come out and it was loose. I informed my nurse multiple times who promised it would be addressed. While in the break room eating lunch my nurse (also eating lunch) got a call from the PCT who said my pt needed some help. So my nurse asked me to go down and see what was needed.

When I got there, the pt was on the BSC, sobbing, and the PCT was standing there HOLDING the PEG tube up in the air because it had completely fallen out. I ran back to my nurse, who got really mad at me for interrupting her lunch, and we had to call the surgeon to come replace it. He came in, yelled at me some more, then demanded a foley. He stuck the foley in the PEG tube hole and put it to drain to gravity.

mom4josh

284 Posts

Specializes in onc, M/S, hospice, nursing informatics.

My worst clinical day was in my last semester. I was going through a difficult time at home... upcoming separation from my husband, my father being ill, etc. Had been having horrible days frequently. Could not concentrate and was always nervous. Hated going into a patient's room for the first time. The nurses already think I'm an idiot because a few days earlier I had taken out (but not done anything with) IV morphine instead of morphine elixir. Geesch.

So one day I go into a patient's room to pass AM meds. Elderly patient and wife, very alert, know what's going on, getting ready to be discharged. Wife asks me what pills I have for him. I say it's his morning meds, getting nervous as I always did, say something about a B/P med. Wife says he doesn't take a B/P med. I say that the physician ordered one. STILL NO RED FLAGS! Patient takes pills. Leave room only to discover that I gave him my other patient's meds! :banghead: OMG, forgot the 5 rights! CRAP.

Go to my instructor and explain what happened. Call the MD, fill out the incident report, etc. No harm to patient, thank God.

All of my fellow students talking about this all day. "Did you hear that someone made a med error?" :imbar

My instructor keeps me after clinicals that day lecturing me for hours. We talk about why the error occurred and what is going on in my life, then she tells me that she thinks I should quit nursing and go into SOCIAL WORK. I tell her that I didn't go to school for three years to be a social worker.

Went home and cried and cried for days! :(

Happy end of story... I kept going and graduated two months later. Never made that mistake again! Made a much more cautious nurse of me.

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