Made a med error

[danigirl58]

I know that to some this may not make a lot of since cause knowing me I jumped everywhere but I just needed to go some where where I could just say something about my experience

OK so yesterday was the worst day so far of my short nursing Career. I am a newer grad (have been working as a nurse since March 06) and have only been working in my hospital since Aug so I am being precepted. well to make a long story short, yesterday I made a med error where I gave a pt another pt's meds. Now once I realized my mistake I went to my preceptor and informed her what I had done, as 3 of the meds could really have affected the pt. I knew I was going to get into crap you don't make an error like that and expect it to be swept under the rug right. Well the next thing I know the director of my unit is at the nursing station yelling at me with all the other staff around. Now my hospital is supposed to be a "blame free" yeah I didn't feel supported or anything to be yelled at in front of other staff (which I may add trying very hard to hold back tears) I am upset at myself I am scared for my pt I am now feeling very attacked as my director is still yelling and telling me that i am going to be written up.

Now I will say it took a lot of courage to admit to my mistake and this situation I can honestly say Will make me think twice about doing that again and to me that is not a good thing at all. I am very angry at how the whole situation was handled. yes I expected to get in crap i made a mistake but I am still trying to figure out how it went from my preceptor right to the director of my unit bypassing the charge nurse and unit managers. on top of that I am made that in a place that is supposed to be blame free I am now on probation, have something in my permanent file, and now will not be able to transfer to another unit for 6 months. I do not feel that i am trusted - which is something I know to expect and something that i will need to earn back I just wish the whole thing was handled different. Part of me would like to go and talk to the director and let her know how this whole situation affected me but i already know I am sitting on a thin ledge and doing this could push me right off of it.

anyways thanks to anyone who actually read this any type of feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Dani

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

I'm sorry this happened to you in the manner it did. I think the yeller should be written up and put on probation!

[cjj0603]

I have been there and done that. I as a new grad in orientation have made 2 med errors, neither of which harmed the patients. Although I have changed my personal procedures for giving meds and am no longer making mistakes, I am still fighting the lack of trust from my preceptor and educator. If you are interested in the methods I use to avoid mistakes, send me a message.

That director definitely had no right to treat you as she did. As far as how she found out about it, I know long-time nurses on my unit who feel comfortable complaining about anyone to any member of management who walks by.

To disagree with some other postings, I have fought politics and bad management for a long time in an earlier career. I truly believe that confronting the director is a no win situation that will only backfire on you. Talking to your own manager about it is fine. Regarding talking to HR, keep in mind that HR's primary loyalty is to the hospital/corporation, not to the employees.

Good luck to you.

[AussieKylie]

Geez, everyone makes me mistakes. Who is really the perfect nurse out there? Some get their kicks in thinking they are but pfftt yah right. We all make mistakes and I too am a new grad and I have made a mistake in having another patients chart sorting out their preop stuff. However that was rectified and I learnt from that. So yah, you make mistakes, you reported your situation which is honourable however in the end you learn from it. Incident report filled out however to be yelled at, that aint good very much an unprofessional behaviour from the director. I think there should have been more support for you.

I hope you are doing well now and your spirits have lifted since that incident.

Wishing you the best:wink2:

[jill48, ASN, RN]

Don't be so hard on yourself. I don't think there is one of us on this forum that hasn't made a med error. It's a learning experience. Look at what you learned from it already! You will never make that particular med error again, and you will never forget it. But most important, you did the right thing for your patient. You could have easily kept your mouth shut and hoped for the best; I know nurses that have. But YOU did the right thing and that is all that matters. As for the thrashing you took, it WAS inappropiate, but you are going to deal with those kind of people in one capacity or another throughout your entire career. You will rebuild your trust, but at least you don't have to rebuild your character or your decency. Please, please, please don't let this terrible outcome stop you from coming forward again if need be. YOU did the right thing, and that is all that matters. Good luck to you. You'll be fine.

[TrudyRN]

Dani, keep being honest, keep protecting your patients. Know that the Director maltreated you. Do speak with her when you are more dispassionate. Keep it totally professional. Do let her know that you want her to keep it private when she dresses you down. Etc.

[augigi, CNS]

I agree, I absolutely would not tolerate that kind of treatment. I'd try to speak calmly to the individual (with my manager as a witness). If that made no difference, I'd put it in writing. This person is discouraging reporting of errors, which puts patients at risk.

[hocke5716]

Yup.. definitely the right thing to do !!