Embracing Mistakes: Lessons Learned on the Path to Growth

Recently, I was talking to one of my mentees, and he expressed his fear of making mistakes.

I paused for a moment, reflecting on my own journey, and I explained to him that it’s not about avoiding mistakes; it’s about learning from them.

Identifying the root cause of a mistake and figuring out how to correct it is where true growth happens.

Your growth depends on your mistakes!

To think that making a mistake is the worst thing that could happen is absolutely not true. How else will you learn?

No matter how great of a student you were in school, once you become a nurse, it’s a different world.

You need to implement what you have learned, and guess what? It won’t always pan out the way the textbook states.

Depending on the scenario, you’ll have to adapt and think on your feet.

I remember when I was supervising and had drawn labs for PT/INR.

The results came back, and I compared each patient’s results with their previous values, writing down the current dose of Coumadin they were on.

The doctor wrote the order, but then I realized I had swapped the names of two patients.

I immediately called him and explained the mistake I made.

To my surprise, he thanked me and noted that many people wouldn’t have owned up to it.

We then proceeded with the correct orders.

What did that teach me?

First, I now pull one chart at a time and complete it entirely with the order noted before proceeding to the next.

Second, I identified my root cause as working on multiple tasks instead of focusing on one.

Since then, I haven’t made that same mistake again. That error allowed me to create a new way of completing my work.

So, stop limiting yourself.

Embrace your mistakes, learn from them, and grow.

Remember, anything that doesn’t grow is dead.

Each error you make is an opportunity to deepen your understanding and refine your skills.

When you approach mistakes with a mindset of curiosity rather than fear, you open yourself up to endless possibilities.

Imagine the progress you could make by viewing each misstep as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block!

Let’s commit to practice.

Let’s take those lessons learned in the classroom and apply them in real-life situations.

Let’s share our experiences, support one another, and create a culture where mistakes are not only accepted but celebrated as vital parts of our growth journey.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about striving for progress.

Embrace the learning process, and you’ll find that mistakes are merely guides on your path to success.