9 Mistakes New Nurses Make at the Bedside (and How to Avoid Them)

October 13, 2023 Bridget Montes

You are not the first nurse to be a new nurse, even though it might feel like that sometimes. I don’t want you to think you’re alone in your journey.

Starting out as a new nurse can be both exciting and extremely overwhelming. But while you may have a lot of theoretical knowledge and some shiny new clinical skills, there are certain mistakes that even the most experienced nurses can make.

Here’s the bottom line: Nurses, new or seasoned, make mistakes.

So when it does happen: acknowledge your mistake, learn from the experience, and never get comfortable (getting comfortable creates a false sense of security and that’s when mistakes happen).

Whether you're a recent nursing graduate or a seasoned nurse starting in a new specialty, this post will help you navigate the challenges of your new role and become a successful bedside nurse.

How to Avoid Common Mistakes as a New Nurse:

1 | MISMANAGING TIME

Since you’ll likely be responsible for more than one patient at a time, learning how to manage your time is key to providing safe and timely care.

Time management will come with experience.

HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE

To-do lists: Keeping track of all your to-dos will help you save time and be more productive, so I’ve found that keeping a hard copy of all my to-dos is especially handy. I like visualizing my tasks and physically checking the completed ones off the list. Some nurses use their phones as timers and task keepers. Others keep it all in their heads (and just hope for the best I guess ha). Find what works for you and master it.

Be realistic in your approach to your patient care: You are not a superhero. You can’t do it all, and you can’t be everywhere all at once. Be realistic. Do what you can. Ask for help when you need it. Delegate what is appropriate to delegate. Do the more important tasks first.

Become a queen at prioritizing: In the beginning, research some nursing prioritization algorithms to help you sort through your day (this is essentially the NCLEX in real life). Remember, you will always have something you have to do next, so figure out what’s MOST critical and do that first. Then go about checking off the little to-dos as they come so you’re ready for urgent needs when they arise.

2 | POOR COMMUNICATION

Communication is vital in the healthcare industry.

Plain and simple—poor communication leads to mistakes, and mistakes lead to poor patient outcomes.

HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE

Build a rapport with your support staff: You can’t just come into a new unit as a new nurse with your guns blazin’. Take time to learn about the people you work with and how they communicate so you can effectively delegate tasks appropriate to their capabilities.

Respect all your colleagues’ time: A vital lesson to learn in healthcare is that everyone has a job with tasks to do. All your colleagues have more to deal with than just your to-dos for your patients. Respect their time and work with them to accomplish the overall goal.

Using the communication boards to actually communicate information: Communication boards have become a bit of a joke over the years, but there is a reason why communication boards were developed and still exist in modern healthcare systems. These boards can be very helpful in communicating with your patients, doctors, support staff, and maybe even give you vital reminders about your patient’s care.

3 | MEDICATION ERRORS

Medication errors are one of the most common errors in nursing, no matter whether you’re a new or seasoned nurse. These errors can potentially be harmful or life-threatening to the patient.

The nurse is the last stop for medication errors, so you must stay vigilant in your medication routine. Don’t allow yourself to become distracted, and always be knowledgeable about what you’re giving your patients.

HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE

Focus: Years ago, during a medication pass, I answered a phone call from a coworker asking me whether or not I had an insulin bottle. It sounds like such an insignificant call, but it distracted me enough to take my focus away from my patient and ultimately led me to make a mistake. Minimize distractions while you’re passing medications. My best advice here is to stay focused on the task at hand because, unless there’s an emergency, nothing else should matter aside from you passing your patient’s medications.

Verify all your medication rights: This tip may sound extremely obvious, but sometimes we get too comfortable, and when you stop being vigilant in your approach to your patient care, mistakes happen. So before giving any medication, verify your fundamental 5 Rights—Patient, Medication, Dose, Route, and Time.

Know the why: Just because you completed school doesn’t mean you’re done learning. Always continue to educate yourself on the pathophysiology and medications you commonly see in the unit you work. Understand the medication’s basics and why you’re giving that particular medication. You may need to take time out of your busy-never-ending task list to research this information, but avoiding a potentially life-threatening mistake is worth it.

4 | INEFFECTIVE HAND-OFF REPORTS

The art of giving report is just that…an art.

This Joint Commission article states, “Potential for patient harm – from the minor to the severe – is introduced when the receiver gets information that is inaccurate, incomplete, not timely, misinterpreted, or otherwise not what is needed.”

The article dives deeper into delivering effective hand-off reports, so check it out for more ideas on improving your reports.

Allow yourself space to receive critiques as a new nurse. Your reports will improve as you become more experienced, and you will eventually master the art of giving reports. Give yourself time to practice and to learn what’s most important and what isn’t.

HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE

Keep it simple; start with the basics: A deep dive into their history more than likely isn’t necessary. Instead, focus on what’s most important first, and the more minor details will follow. Ask yourself what YOU need to know to take care of this patient safely and start there.

Utilize both paper worksheets & electronic health records during report: Paper worksheets are super helpful when giving a report quickly, at the bedside, or on the move, but your worksheet may not be up to date, which could create inaccurate details in your information. Additionally, it’s helpful to speak to specific orders and medications when the EHR is open and right in front of you. The EHR also will help to provide more detailed reports when needed.

Use a well-established handover report system: For example - a mnemonic like ISBAR has been studied extensively and may be appropriate for your report

Identification: Who you are and what your role is in caring for the patient
Situation: What is happening? Why is the patient transferring?
Background: What led to the present situation?
Assessment: What is your assessment? What do you believe is the problem?
Recommendation: What do you believe should be next for the patient?

Other mnemonics could make more sense to you and how you like to give/receive report in various situations. Try out different styles and once you choose one, master it. Turn your ineffective reports into effective ones.

5 | CALLING A PATIENT BY THE WRONG NAME

I have double-checked, triple-checked, and quadruple-checked my patient’s name and somehow have still managed to call a patient by the wrong name at least twice that I can remember off the top of my head.

If/when this happens, it doesn’t make you any less of a nurse, just apologize and move on. No need to dwell on your mistakes because mistakes happen. Correct your mistake, ensure whatever you were about to do was supposed to be for that particular patient, and then continue with your patient care.

HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE

Preferred name: Asking your patient their preferred name can help build rapport. This simple act can show the patient you respect them and see them as a person rather than just a patient. Then don’t forget to write it down, either in your notes or on the communication board, to keep their name top of mind.

Use the communication boards as a cheat sheet: When you meet the patient for the first time, use those wonderful communication boards to write down the patient’s preferred name and glance over to the board every time you walk into the room. I know every dreads the communication boards, but this small action will save you, trust me!

Don’t say their name…yet: There might be a brief moment of panic in your head the first few times you walk into your patient’s room. All you can do is use your strategies to avoid saying the wrong name, which again is more embarrassing than anything else. Remember to ask the patient their preferred name, asked them simple orientation questions to remind you (and maybe them) who they are, look at their wristband while doing an assessment if they aren’t able to speak, or do a quick communication board glance as you walk into the room.

6 | BELIEVING YOU WON’T SUCCUMB TO THE B* WORD

Psst…I’m talking about Burnout…

Can you believe I didn’t call off one single night shift for the entire first year of my nursing career? I look back at that and just shake my head, because I probably could have avoided being sick off and on for about 9 months during my second year as a nurse.

If I had slowed down and taken time to care for my well-being as much as my patients’, I don’t think I would have gotten so sick and burnt out over the course of my 6-years-long bedside career. So just don’t be like me, I beg you.

HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE

Develop a self-care routine: It may sound straightforward, but self-care is far from it. You are responsible for caring for yourself with the same compassion and love you care for others. A self-care routine is more than just taking a bath or getting a facial (at least it should be more). You deserve more. You deserve self-care that brings you peace and rest, even when you feel overwhelmed and burnt out. Take the time to discover more about your authentic self, what you love to do, and what brings you joy. Develop a routine that brings harmony and balance to your life because being a nurse can be exhausting, demanding, and often overwhelming.

Talk about your experiences: You don’t need to share all the gory details, but bringing language to your experiences is hugely therapeutic and impactful. Not everyone will understand, but no one will understand if you don’t give them a chance. If you’re not one to share out loud, then at least share within the confines of a journal. Use this verbal or written language to take back your power and help you process and let go of challenging experiences.

Take extended breaks: There’s a reason you have annual leave hours accumulating every paycheck. Maybe you can’t take a vacation in Mexico for a week, but you can take a few days to recuperate at home. Implement some self-care you’ve been neglecting. Maybe clean out a closet that’s been your “Room of Requirements” for years (yes, a Harry Potter reference). Maybe spend a little extra time with your partner or your kids. Maybe take yourself on a date to your favorite restaurant. Take extended breaks from work to get the relief you need.

7 | SELF-RELIANCE TO A FAULT

Learning to be independent and self-reliant in your first year as a nurse is critical. However, being overly confident or self-reliant can potentially become dangerous for your patients and your license.

Don’t allow yourself to drown for the sake of drowning. You have support staff. You have other seasoned nurses on your unit. Use those colleagues as your resource so you can continue providing safe and competent care to your patients without being overwhelmed.

HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE

Ask for help + work as a team: A little help can go a long way! Communicate with your colleagues and support staff, delegate when appropriate, and ask for help if you are drowning. Be independent and self-reliant but remember it takes a village to care for your complex patients.

Allow others to help: In my first year, I avoided letting my coworkers help when they offered to help. Maybe I felt like I would fail if I admitted I needed help and accepted it. Save yourself from this drama. If a coworker offers support, they must have the time and capacity to help, so let them.

Ask for guidance: You don’t know it all. As a new grad, you’ll come across many skills and procedures that are unfamiliar to you, and you’ll continue to learn even as a seasoned nurse. In your first year, asking for guidance on clinical skills or patient symptoms is especially important because asking questions will only teach you about competently caring for your patients. Learn as much as you can from the seasoned nurses you work with because one day, you’ll be the seasoned nurse and can offer your guidance and knowledge to the new nurses that come after you.

8 | TIMIDLY TALKING TO DOCTORS

The doctor will need a brief report to understand the basics of the situation to decide what to do next, and you must be confident about presenting your patient.

Using your hand-off report sheet here would be an excellent resource to give a VERY brief background before launching into the reason for the call.

HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE

Be prepared, composed, & confident: It’s your job to be able to answer questions and advocate for your patient. Confidence is a mindset, and it can be learned. Be prepared with all the vital information, be composed in your delivery, and be confident in yourself and your assessment.

Understand when to call: When you’re just starting, seasoned nurses or charge nurses can be great resources to discuss a problem and decide whether or not calling the doctor is appropriate. It may not seem like it now, but over time this skill will improve, and it will become easier to decide whether or not a call is necessary.

Have an idea for a resolution: As a new nurse, you’ll learn it’s always a good idea to have an idea for a solution to your problem so when a doctor inevitably asks, “So what do you want to do about it?”, you have a confident answer ready to advocate for your patient.

9 | STAYING IN A JOB FOR TOO LONG

The last thing you need is to convince yourself the job is worth the struggle. I guarantee you that there are better jobs in this industry if you’re unhappy, unfulfilled, physically exhausted, and burnt out.

Staying in a job that’s sucking the life from you isn’t heroic. You deserve more than that. You deserve a job that is fulfilling and satisfying. You deserve a job you love and one that brings you joy.

Life is short, and your time is definite. So find a job that inspires you to spend time living the life you want instead of just dreaming about it.

HOW TO AVOID THIS MISTAKE

Stand your ground: You deserve a safe workplace environment. You may encounter abuse, unsafe staffing, or a manipulative manager. Whatever you decide about this particular job, remember you have a right and a responsibility to protect yourself and your license. No one else will stand your ground for you.

Don’t feel like you’re letting the team down: Choose you first. Don’t allow your job to steal your joy. It’s not selfish to choose your well-being over others. You have a right to create the life you want; you can only do that if you choose yourself first. Don’t stay in a job longer than you need to just because you think it’s your responsibility to keep the position filled or because you don’t want to let down your coworkers. Trust me; the harsh reality is that the unit (and your coworkers) will carry on without you, whether you’re suffering with them or not.

Professional Development: Take advantage of all the opportunities that nursing can afford you! You don’t have to completely change careers in order to do something a little different. You can change specialties, work a per diem schedule, work from home, go back to school, or travel the country. Don’t be afraid to learn new skills and use those skills to create a career you’re genuinely passionate about.

So what’s next?

You’ve heard it thousands of times now and I don’t think I can stress more: Nurses are human, and humans make mistakes.

As a new nurse, your learning curve is exponential! You’ll learn new skills every shift and continue to learn even as a seasoned nurse.

Learning from your mistakes is no different. So reflect on what you’ve learned and take the necessary precautions not to make that mistake again.

Take those experiences, be open and honest, and share with those you trust to get the support you need and regain your confidence as a nurse.

And if you’re ready to take your nursing journey from the bedside to maybe something a little different—like business—get my freebie and let me know where you’re at in your journey. I’d love to hear from you!

SDN

9 Mistakes New Nurses Make at the Bedside (and How to Avoid Them)

How to Avoid Common Mistakes as a New Nurse:

1 | MISMANAGING TIME

2 | POOR COMMUNICATION

3 | MEDICATION ERRORS

4 | INEFFECTIVE HAND-OFF REPORTS

5 | CALLING A PATIENT BY THE WRONG NAME

6 | BELIEVING YOU WON’T SUCCUMB TO THE B* WORD

7 | SELF-RELIANCE TO A FAULT

8 | TIMIDLY TALKING TO DOCTORS

9 | STAYING IN A JOB FOR TOO LONG

So what’s next?

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