Have you ever made a med error?

Nursing Students General Students

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i'm a senior rn student & i made my first med error last week. the nursing director said if i make another med error i'm out of the program. Has anyone done a med error as a student?

i know i'm going to be totally paranoid from now on giving meds, since i know if i mess up again i'm OUT!....ugh!

I am a practicing RN and I also think med mistake do happen in everyday life and most of them are not getting reported...!!! But, thankfully in my hospital we use the Meditech computer programme which requires the nurse to scan all the medication and also scan the arm band on the patient and if both doesnt match with the MAR list in computer, it will throw you away from administering the medicine..Its such a help. Because of this the medication error is very much minimized.

But, when you have to do it manually, I think the 3 time check is mandatory to avoid any mistake...As said earlier...learn from the mistake and I am sure you are not going to make any more as you are going to be very very cautious.

hi there

I am in my 3rd year, had yesterday my last exam professional issues, and is bloody scary how easy we can get sued, anyway in more than 20weeks of clinical I never came across with a med, error. here our preceptors (instructors) are very helpfull and I always check the 5rights, plus when I get to the patient I ask him/her to indentify , DOB, etc prior to administer anything, thanks to GOD, till now, no issues with this matter, and now looking forward to get my registration in the next 2-3 mths. Take care ppl, and wish u all the best

Cheers

Specializes in Med Surg/ortho.

I am disappointed that an instructor would tell you to keep quiet about a med error. What a shame and a poor example of what to do in this situation.

I think your first med error will make you humble to the idea that you are capable of making a mistake. There is no better way to realize the tremendous responsibility you have as an RN. But I also think the way your instructor and classmates (or co-workers once you are practicing) support you will set the stage for how you handle the situation if you ever realize you made another error. The fact that your instructor told you to keep quiet might suggest you think about doing the same on your own. The support you get from others could make you fearful of admitting yet another error. The fear of dismissal from the program is a big one. They can teach you the mechanics of nursing in school but the important thing to realize here is that after all that, it is your responsibility to your patients and to YOURSELF to do the right thing always!

I once had an instructor who told us that if you ever come across an RN who boasts that she has never made a med error, to keep in mind that she may have made a med error and never even knew it! I'd be wary of someone who claims they have never made an error- it conficts with the very human nature that makes one a "good nurse"! A "good" nurse is not counted by her lack of mistakes to learn by, but the way she learned from them...

I find it difficult to believe that someone had NEVER made a mistake in her or his career.

I commend that person.

Me I made one and the feeling is like nothing one can ever doscribe. Fortunately it was a stool softener, but it definately made an impression.

I wonder if people who NEVER make a mistake have wings under their uniforms.

macspuds

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I was actually just kicked out of the nursing program (4th semester) for answering a question about a medication wrong and deciding not to dilute a dose of phenergan an anti-emetic (following the protocol in the drug book). I totally missed that on the sheet it said to dilute with 10 mls of normal saline. I caught it before giving it, but my teacher keeps arguing that i could have killed the patient if i were to administer it undiluted (NOT true). Looong story.

When she told me that i am being dropped, she went on and on about how unsafe that was, how incompetant i am, how i should never even consider getting back in the program, etc, etc, etc... you get the point. EXTREMELY unprofessional.

But anyhow, i plan on getting back in hopefully next semester.

~Talar~

My GOD...how stupid of this professor. You'd think that she was Mother Theresa! We are all capable of making mistakes, and this arrogant professor made a mistake by making more of it than what it really was! If you caught it before you actually administered it, that shows that you are, in fact, a viligent nurse. I have caught several errors before I gave medication...and I am 100% sure that this baffoon did as well. I am actually angry for you:madface: :madface: :madface: :madface: :madface: :madface: :madface:

Specializes in LTC , SDC and MDS certified (3.0).

I learned when a pt questions ALWAYS re check

My GOD...how stupid of this professor. You'd think that she was Mother Theresa! We are all capable of making mistakes, and this arrogant professor made a mistake by making more of it than what it really was! If you caught it before you actually administered it, that shows that you are, in fact, a viligent nurse. I have caught several errors before I gave medication...and I am 100% sure that this baffoon did as well. I am actually angry for you:madface: :madface: :madface: :madface: :madface: :madface: :madface:

Well it thought me a lesson. As the assistant dean said, "some people just learn the hard way."

Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

I just made one today. :( It's still raw to talk about in detail so I'm not going to. I recognized my mistake right away and called my unit manager and the Dr. The patient wasn't harmed (thank the good Lord) and I was super cautious for the rest of the day. I never want to forget how awful I felt today and I NEVER want to make a med error again!

Not sure how long ago this happened to you but I would seriously consider going above her head and telling someone - what if next time they aren't harmless suppliments? Part of ethical behavior and strong character is taking responsiblity for your actions - in the end you are doing yourself a favor - if you are willing to bend today, tomorrow you may break - just a thought:wink2:

Not sure how long ago this happened to you but I would seriously consider going above her head and telling someone - what if next time they aren't harmless suppliments? Part of ethical behavior and strong character is taking responsiblity for your actions - in the end you are doing yourself a favor - if you are willing to bend today, tomorrow you may break - just a thought:wink2:

Maybe. I don't know. I felt like I did what I was supposed to because I went and told the instructor even though she had no idea that I had made a medication error. I felt I had to set a precident for myself of being accountable and I had resigned myself to facing the music. But she is the instructor and chose to let me (and herself) off the hook. I feel like it's behind me. Plus some other students and I already had a face to face with the dean about this instructor for other reasons (consistent near abusive behavior) and I feel that, in addition to putting myself in double jeopardy, reporting this CI for another reason would be like beating a dead horse. I don't know. I'll think about it...

I'd love to get others' feedback on this issue.

I have always wanted to do nursing but in the past I had no money to do it or support myself while I go to school. But now that I have money for school I am a single parent. I really need to support myself and my son. How do I do all this at once?

Every Nurse Has Made A Med Error. Of Course They Will Never Own Up To It.

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