suspended :(

[stethoscope21]

Last week, my 2 coworkers and I got a med error because we did not give the coumadin, we assumed that because the mar was flipped, it means that it was discontinued. I felt really stupid because that is very important. Then, during my last duty, I was about to give the patient the wrong medicine but the family member noticed it and i went to double check and yikes it was the wrong medicine. I asked the patient if she was having diarrhea and she said yes so I threw it away. Then I was about to give the suppository instead of the cream. That day was crazy, so many interruptions, 3 admissions, 1 trying to get up all the time. I've never felt so stupid in my entire life. I'm incompetent, unsafe and a failure. I should've triple check everything and follow the basics (Five rights). It happened in my first nursing job in long term care. I'm working there for almost 7 months now. Patient is fine but the family member might report me to the state. I got suspended. I am not sure how long. I'm really depressed. I'm trying to find another job but it's really hard to get motivated when all I think about is "Is nursing really meant for me?" I'm disappointed in myself. I don't want to lose my license that I've worked hard for. would love to hear your advice awesome nurses....

[vanursegrad]

According to your story I probably would not have suspended you, but instead filled out a med error paper and in-serviced you. The only thing I can think of is that because the family caught your potential error and complained you were suspended. You would not believe the errors that I see on a weekly basis as a supervisor. Most nurses are in-serviced on the error. As long as the error did not cause injury then I take the error as a learning opportunity. If I suspended every nurse that made an error I would have no nurses working right now.

[Gem1210390]

In my place of work we wear aprons with administering drugs do not disturb. The apron is red with yellow writing can't be missed families doctors and other members of staff know not to talk to nurses wearing these aprons

[sharpeimom]

i would second morte's suggestion that you be tested for add. i don't suggest it as a former psych nurse, but

rather as the wife of a man who has been diagnosed with add, adhd, and ocd. anxiety also is part of the package. he has earned two phds and has won several awards and honors. he has written several books, had a play published and produced. he is fluent in several languages and has won four research grants. he teaches on

the college level and he's the one students stay in touch with decades later.

i'm not bragging so much as i'm just trying to reassure you that a diagnosis of add is not the end of the world

or a great disgrace. it just is. it's as much a part of him as his bald spot.

he is really scattered and is the archetypal absentminded professor! i make sure his backpack is packed with everything he needs. in fact, he has a mwf backpack and a tth backpack (different colors) and meds have really made a difference in his ability to concentrate and think.

i don't the bon will want to get involved if no lasting harm happened. families can be real pains sometimes.

use this as a wake up call and don't let it become a permanent trauma. in fact, agonizing over something far

too long can be another part of the package. dust yourself off, get tested, and begin all over again. you'll be

great! with experience, comes confidence.:hug:

[morte, LPN, LVN]

thanks!

i would second morte's suggestion that you be tested for add. i don't suggest it as a former psych nurse, but

rather as the wife of a man who has been diagnosed with add, adhd, and ocd. anxiety also is part of the package. he has earned two phds and has won several awards and honors. he has written several books, had a play published and produced. he is fluent in several languages and has won four research grants. he teaches on

the college level and he's the one students stay in touch with decades later.

i'm not bragging so much as i'm just trying to reassure you that a diagnosis of add is not the end of the world

or a great disgrace. it just is. it's as much a part of him as his bald spot.

he is really scattered and is the archetypal absentminded professor! i make sure his backpack is packed with everything he needs. in fact, he has a mwf backpack and a tth backpack (different colors) and meds have really made a difference in his ability to concentrate and think.

i don't the bon will want to get involved if no lasting harm happened. families can be real pains sometimes.

use this as a wake up call and don't let it become a permanent trauma. in fact, agonizing over something far

too long can be another part of the package. dust yourself off, get tested, and begin all over again. you'll be

great! with experience, comes confidence.:hug:

[mmm333, LVN]

Even where coumadin is given one day extra, if the INR comes back okay, then there is no harm to the patient and you should be OK. It's when that action can be connected to any "problem" that you have to worry more... basically if there could be "actual harm" or "damages" arising from your negligence in the legal sense, then you can bet the facility will be scrambling to hang it all on your neck, and preventing you from saying that their shoddy or confusing systems or records were a contributing factor (they may redo all of the binders nicely or stop flipping pages and using other forms, etc.)