Being a new nurse is exciting. After years of hard work, you finally get to do what you love. But doing the actual job can be intimidating and stressful, even after so much preparation and training.
Just like anyone who is new to any position, you may make some mistakes. Major slip-ups can threaten your nursing license. Here is a list of some of the most common new-nurse errors and what you can do to avoid them.
Medication mistakes
Administering medications is one of your core responsibilities as a nurse. Your patients rely on you to give them the right medications in the correct dosages at the proper times. If you incorrectly administer a drug, it can result in severe complications and even death. You can avoid these mishaps by using a scanning system, relying on patient identifiers, double-checking with other nurses and consulting with other members of your team, such as senior nurses and doctors.
Calling a doctor without the necessary information ready
The doctors around you rely on efficiency to get their jobs done. While you may want to ask for help from a doctor right away, make sure you have your chart ready. Additionally, be ready to discuss all important details about the patient. While not having details ready right away may not be life-threatening to your patients, it can hurt your career if you do it frequently.
Causing infections
Infections are a huge risk in hospitals. Failing to adhere to proper hygiene techniques can cause your patients to acquire infections that can range from inconvenient to deadly. Use good hand hygiene, follow aseptic techniques and disinfect equipment to reduce the chances of your patients developing infections.
As a new nurse, you face a variety of challenges, and you can play a central role in preventing them. Avoid losing your license by following best practices.
