By Perfection is essential in the healthcare sector. Because these people are dealing with the most precious commodity of all, which is life. In addition, this also includes the nursing profession.
Indeed, we all strive for perfection. But at last, nurses are also humans and make mistakes.
So, if you are also a nurse and have been through a similar situation, you’re not alone.
What’s more important is that you must recognize their mistakes and protect them from making them.
So, in this guide, we will discuss the top six mistakes made by new nurses along with suggestions to fix them.
Mistake #1: Infection Issues
Infection has been a major problem in hospitals for decades. As a nurse, you have to minimize the risk of infection by using your skills and knowledge you have learned from your training.
Also, you have to provide the best assistance to patients and reduce the complaint rates of patients.
According to the CDC, healthcare-acquired infections in U.S hospitals account for 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths associated each year (Source: American Hospital Association).
How to Avoid
The best way to avoid it is to pay attention to hygiene and good cleaning. Indeed, many infections often spread due to poor hygiene practices.
Hence, consider the following:
- Standard precautions
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Aseptic techniques
- Strategies to prevent infection
Mistake #2: Errors with Medication
Nurses are responsible for creating prescriptions, giving the right amount of dosage, and administering issues.
There’s a record of various situations when nurses have given wrong prescriptions, incorrect dosage, omission, and other mistakes.
Also, whether you are a new nurse or a veteran who has been working for years, anyone can make these mistakes.
For new nurses, the reason for creating these mistakes is often “presence of mind” and “pressure.”
For example, when completing a PICO question for evidence-based practice, even a slight error can mislead the entire approach. This is why many seek nursing dissertation help UK for accuracy and support. Similarly, in real-world scenarios, precision in medication is just as crucial.
How to Avoid
To avoid making these mistakes, the best solution is to leave your personal life behind the doors of the hospital. In addition, this aids in improving your focus and staying in the moment.
Below are some other tips to follow:
- Check if the patient has any allergies before administering the medicine.
- Also, go through the report and cross-check the patient’s details to ensure that it’s the right one to give medication.
- In addition to that, check the patient’s height and weight.
Mistake #3: Improper Documentation
When someone is training to become a nurse, they often neglect the importance of the paperwork they will have to complete during their career. Hence, they have to record the paperwork and other documents of the patient. In this procedure, there are many mistakes made by the nurses.
How to Avoid
It’s important to keep yourself aware of all the circumstances. Besides that, below are the factors to consider when charting for patients:
- Take notes on health and drug information
- Record medications that have been used
- Discontinued medication
- Record using the action
- Changes in the patient’s health
- Record any orders given regarding the patient’s health.
Mistake #4: Patient Falls
Another common incident that happens in hospitals is patient falls.
According to AHRQ, between 700,000 to 1,000,000 people fall in US hospitals annually. Also, more than 250,000 patients are reported injured, while 11,000 lose their lives.
Furthermore, most nurses try to avoid this from happening, but it still occurs.
How to Avoid
- Firstly, check on the patients regularly
- Accompanying those who need mobility assistance
- Put essential items close to patients
Mistake #5: Ignoring Signs of Stress and Fatigue
Fatigue is common among nurses and healthcare providers. In addition, many hospitals structure a 12-hour shift for three days, and give off on the fourth day. But then you are already in a crisis mode when the mind struggles to rest and get out of work mode.
Consequently, nurses with an extensive work schedule are more likely to go through burnout. In addition, some of the common symptoms of burnout are:
- Emotional exhaustion: Feeling low or drained
- Hard to work: the burnout makes it hard for nurses to collaborate with fellow colleagues and empathize with patients.
- Poor performance: When you are emotionally and physically low, it becomes hard to perform well in your job. Hence, you make more errors and feel listless.
How to Avoid
Nurses can avoid stress by prioritizing self-care, which includes regular exercise, a healthy diet, and enough sleep. In addition, it’s suggested to practice mindfulness and yoga to manage stress.
Steps To Take After Making a Mistake
Some errors are so major and large that nurses often struggle to find a solution for them. Well, if you ever get stuck in a similar situation, then here’s what you must do:
Accept your mistake
Don’t ever try to blame others or shift the burden on someone else for your mistakes. Instead, take accountability and follow all the protocols to handle that situation.
Fix the mistakes
When you make a mistake, don’t feel discouraged or give up. In addition, there are many errors that are fixable. So, check up with your supervisor or a senior who can help you. Also, try to be a part of the solution.
Don’t avoid your feelings
Mistakes are both slight and too serious. But make sure to never bury your feelings. Hence, give yourself the permission to feel remorse or anger. Also, discuss it with someone, and you can also journal your thoughts.
Final Words
New nurses can avoid many mistakes by paying attention, asking questions, and staying calm under pressure. Recognizing common errors helps build confidence and improve patient care. Remember, mistakes are part of learning, but good habits prevent many issues. Keep learning, stay focused, and trust your training. Your effort makes a real difference in every patient’s recovery.