Nurses General Nursing
Published May 1, 2013
JohnD91
3 Posts
So, I had an orientee on my hall the one night and everything was going very well. She passed the 1600s and I the 2000s. Toward the end of the shift the narc count was off and upon closer inspection we determined that the wrong pain pill was given to the wrong resident (the dosages were not the same, but the pill itself was). I am worried about what is going to occur and how it will occur. I'm just wondering if I am the one who should be reprimanded for the medication error (seeing as she was under my responsibility), or if she will (which I would hope would not be the case).
chrisrn24
905 Posts
Hmm...well as long as nothing terrible happens to the patient I can't imagine you both getting into much trouble. Mistakes happen...
How closely were you supervising her at the time?
NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN
1,066 Posts
She is a nurse? Or medication trained aide? Then it is her own write up. At the time of the med error you need to show her the report protocols so she can tell the MD it happened and get orders. She's registered (or certified) in her own right and is responsible for her own errors.
This I cannot recall. It was a busy time of the shift and there were many residents requesting my aid.
Yes, she is an LPN.
Morainey, BSN, RN
831 Posts
Eeek. Better keep a close eye on your orientee. I am confused as to how the dose could be different but you said it was the same pill?
avionrn
I had a co-worker with a similar experience. The preceptor was written up and not the orientee. They justified the write-up by explaining the preceptor was ultimately the responsible nurse to oversee the orientee's work. When I precept, I have a rule that I always double check the narcotics prior to being given. I know this can take extra time on the preceptor's part, but it does prevent errors. I would look at it as a lesson learned for both.
Maybe like oxycodone 5 mg was given when the order was for oxycodone 2.5 mg?
HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD
9,051 Posts
Nope. Every licensed person is accountable for their own mistakes - especially for something so basic as medication "5 Rights".
nurseprnRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 5,115 Posts
If she were an unlicensed student, that would be one thing. However, she holds licensure, so she's responsible for giving meds safely under her scope of practice. It's not as if it were something particular to your unit or hospital; giving meds safely is the same everywhere.
I realized afterward 'Twas a bit slow on the uptake there.
BrandonLPN, LPN
3,358 Posts
This is true. But, this is referring only to how the OP could be held responsible from a legal/licensure/BON perspective. The facility might very well hold a preceptor jointly responsible for the med errors of his/her orientee. (unfair and short-sighted in my opinion, but it's possible)
In other words, the OP can't lose her license based on this, but she could very well be reprimanded, depending on the policies of the facility.