Gave meds to wrong patient, please help guys

Nurses LPN/LVN

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guys, i need your help. i am about to have a breakdown right now. i was on my 8th day with a new precetor in med surg, had 11 patients, usually up to 15. this precetor was crazy all morning, i had asked for help giving med G tube (had never done) so she grabbed my meds went in and gave to patient and then had me give her an injection. she went on break, i went to sign off on chart and realized bed 3's med sheets were in bed 2's chart and and they had been switched. i always bring chart in room and check id band like three times (i am paranoid) but she was rushing me and had me so stressed out. when i realized it i ran to charge nurse, called doctor, put patient on monitor (she was a tiny cerebral palsy patient 30 but looked 10 yrs old). i did not sleep all night or the next day. my patient is fine, but what if she wasn't. i can't believe i trused the preceptor and just followed her without doing what i know is right. i don't know now if i can be a nurse, question my ability and feel like a terrible person. i cried every time someone said something to me that shift. has this every happened to any of you? i just really need some support as i feel like giving up at this point. i waiting to be a nurse all my life (I'm 48 now) and I have done this. if you guys have any thoughts, i would so appreciate them right now. i literally feel like i will have a breakdown over this. i am so upset. i respect you guys and whatever you have to say. thanks. very upset LVN in california

Yes, please don't beat yourself up anymore about this. You made a mistake and you were able to follow up and take care of it.

One thing I would suggest is that you try to get another preceptor. I feel that unless you have a code or other life threatening issue, there is no reason to rush something as important a medication pass, especially when you are in the position of being a preceptor and teaching a new nurse.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I wouldn't stay there a year; I'd start looking for another job, RIGHT NOW. Hospitals only get away with this because nurses put up with it.

You did all the right things. Your conscience will take it from there.

But you can't resign yourself to a year of working under such condition or your view of nursing will forever by jaded.

Find a better job. Some employers don't deserve your patronage. It's that simple.

"Being a good nurse is NOT always the same thing as being a good employee."

~faith,

Timothy.

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I agree with all the previous posts. You are human- and you made a mistake. Has happened to the best of us under simialr circumstances. You handled it appropriately. Now-take a deep breath :)

I'll let you in on a little secret (Although, I'm sure others can back me up on this one:), it took me atleast a good 6 months to feel totally comfortable. Untill than- realize that you are new to all this. School and the "real" world are very different. Accept that you don't know everything and set out to learn as much as you can.

Hang in there...you'll be fine.

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Wow, 11 patients..California has a law, only 5 patients to one nurse..I assume that you are in Texas because only California and Texas has the LVN title instead of LPN

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

holy cow and i thought having 20 pts in long term care was ok...wow...i am still in nursing school, but i have that same fear of messing up...heck i almost cried when a pt dropped a pill on the floor and i didn't notice it until a couple hours later when i went in to check on her and stepped on it...but i honestly think you did exactly what you were supposed to do! you reported and monitored and owned up to a mistake. i have a couple of girls in my class that would swear on their own mothers and still LIE! I'm sure you will do just fine, and you sound VERY compationate to your pt's well being and safety. don't give up yet, try to find a new place to work, maybe if you explain to your new potential employer why you want to leave the place you are at it would help too! my instructors have shared with us their "horror" story's and one thing they have all said was and i quote "it was my first and my LAST time i ever made that mistake" and they also said it happened within their first year or so being a nurse. Good luck, and chin up! :)

Tasha

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All you have to do is bring the medication sheet in my room and check the arm band..That way, you will never make an error

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Specializes in med surg, telemetry, stroke.

Just want to thank all you guys for your encouragement. I really needed it right now. I go back to work tomorrow and am having major anxiety because of what happened with the med error. I am going to try and take one thing at a time and not let anyone rush me like that again and trust what I know. You are all awesome and I appreciate your support so much. Thanks!:yelclap:

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Just want to thank all you guys for your encouragement. I really needed it right now. I go back to work tomorrow and am having major anxiety because of what happened with the med error. I am going to try and take one thing at a time and not let anyone rush me like that again and trust what I know. You are all awesome and I appreciate your support so much. Thanks!:yelclap:

Hope you relax before work. Good luck! :)

Suebird :p

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I understand what you must be going through. You did the right thing by telling and not covering! One thing I read that you wrote was "Im just an LVN" , you are not JUST an LVN. You appearently worked very hard to get where you are and I hate when people put down LVN/LPN's. As an LPN going for her RN, there are some days when I think LPN school was harder. Dont get me wrong, RN is not a piece of cake, but LPN was nothing to sneeze at either. Be proud of who you are!! I have found my niche in office nursing. I love it! 8-5 mon thru fri, cant beat that with a stick! You will find your groove and it will all fall into place! Keep up the honesty and good work and you will be just fine.

Take care!

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