wrong i.v.f

[NewlyGradBSN]

I have almost a year of hospital experience under by belt. I have been volunteering from one institution to the the next with a couple of months of gap in between. Every time, I almost feel that I am new at nursing as I work for a new institution. So this is what happened, at the start of the night shift, the ivf of the patient was about to be consumed according to it's due time. The next ivf order was D5NM + 1 vial sodium chloride. For some odd reason, the ivf I held was D5NSS and checking and rechecking I read that the order was D5NM and yet I failed to realize I was holding a D5NSS bottle. So I added the sodium chloride to the D5NSS. Then, I rechecked again, it did not register in my mind that I was holding d5NSS. I know the difference though, I know the color difference also. I dont know what happened. So, I hooked the D5NSS. Within just a few minutes, I realized my mistake and told my senior. The IVF was stopped. It was still at full level, and it was exchanged with D5NM with the sodium chloride. I dont know what happened....I was checking and rechecking and it was really a stupid mistake. It's like I was new to nursing all again. I am currently offered a staff position in a large hospital and I feel that with this mistake I am not ready. And there are probably other nurses worthy of that position than me.

My senior was very professional. She said it was ok at least I caught it early before it was even infused to the patient. Is this true...I need encouraging words:( Im beating myself up...When I make mistakes I feel that I am not worthy to be a nurse. During these mistakes, I feel that sometimes I should stop before I make even a bigger one that hurts my patients:( Did I harm my patient during this case?

[darren_callcareer18]

No u didn't! U said that u caught and stopped it before the client receive it. By that I COULD say that u shouldn't be freaked out coz for sure nothing will happen to your client.

[NewlyGradBSN]

I somehow think so too. But I felt ashamed that I even made the mistake in the first place

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Be glad that your mistake came that way and not after you infused it. Learn from the experience and carry it with you as a reminder to slow down and double check the order and what you have in your hand.

[SammiJoRNBSN]

Mistakes are mistakes for a reason. Take what you learn from this mistake and carry it with you....chances are you probably won't make that mistake ever again. Thankfully you caught it prior to infusing. Also, it's overwhelming to be new and it's hard not to beat yourself up especially after such an incident.

Best wishes and keep your head up. It seems that your heart is really in it, so keep that mentality! :)

[OleMissRN]

We all make mistakes. As long as you learn from your mistakes, you'll be fine (and, of course, don't kill the patients).

[DeeAngel]

Everyone makes mistakes, in your case no one was harmed. Consider this a learning experience; look up procedures to follow when the wrong IV fluids or IV meds are hung and familiarize yourself with what you would need to do, this will make you feel less lost in dealing with the situation should a mistake happen again or should you be the one to catch someone elses mistake.

Mistakes are learning opportunities and serve as incentive to be more cautious in the future. Take a deep breath, you will be OK, I promise.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

There are two kinds of nurses. Those that make mistakes. Then there are those that make mistakes but are too stupid to realize it. Be glad you're in the first group. :)

This one didn't even reach the patient. Live and learn.

[NewlyGradBSN]

thanks. I am now taking it one day at a time. there are times when I want to quit though...maybe it would be better for my patients. but your words really inspired me. now, what I do is a write in a journal and analyze what I am doing wrong. in the past, I usually focus on what could have happened then dwell on that for a long time. Now, I believe that's counterproductive. I focus, now, on the things that lead to the event. What the environment was, what my state of mind was and how I should have approached the situation prior to the mistake even happening. Thanks. IT'S A BRAND NEW DAY!