I feel like a bad nurse?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been a nurse for almost 4 years. I had to take a year off for personal reasons. I am on my 2nd job within 5 months. I was at a nursing home and I hated it because the environment was very hostile and they were very dishonest nurses.

My job now is dealing with mostly IVs. I’m average when it comes to them and I said this when I got hired on the job. My DON is amazing and super caring. However, I had a not so great experience with one of my patients and now I just feel like I’m a terrible nurse. I had to restart her IV 3 times ( kept blewing) I finally found a smaller needle and it was good. So a total of 4 (company protocol max) BUT she lied and said I kept sticking her like 6* and bruising her 😅 which never happened and I just feel HORRIBLE. I’m trying to get better at IVs and usually I get it on the 2nd attempt I just feel like I’m a terrible nurse even when I’m trying my best. It’s a new job and I all the other patients I’ve had, liked me and said I was good. But after this I don’t know?

do you ever feel this way?

[Oliverlogan263]

Ugh girl, don't be so hard on yourself! Learning new skills just takes time and practice, you know that. Every nurse has patients that are just impossible to start an IV on - it definitely isn't a reflection of your abilities. That lady was probably just cranky and wanted to complain. I seriously doubt she actually remembered you sticking her 6 times, she was probably exaggerating.

Four attempts is NOT that bad for a tricky IV start, especially if you finally got it on the smaller needle. As long as you were gentle and explained everything you were doing, you did your best and that's all anyone can ask for. Don't let one grumpy patient get you down! You said yourself all your other patients have been happy with your care. Focus on those positive experiences.

And girl, you took a whole year off - cut yourself some slack for not being 100% sharp on IV skills yet. That's why you're still practicing, right? I'm sure with more experience at this job, you'll get those IVs on the first or second stick most times. Keep asking the more experienced nurses for tips too.

We've all had days where we feel crappy at our jobs. But don't forget how far you've come in your career already. You've got this - keep your head up! One day you'll look back on this and laugh. You're gonna be a great nurse.

[DarkLegacy]

You are bound to get difficult patients, but perhaps the woman has dementia

[ravagesavage]

At least you don't have to wipe their ass

[Luckycharms12]

Actually you do