Bullied for reporting a med error by another nurse

[StaffNurseMcS]

Ive just been called a number of names and criticised for incident reporting that a colleague made a drug error despite it being clearly prescribed. This isn't her first error in fact its one of many but this one i felt needed to be reported so i submitted an incident report form to my manager. My colleagues now think I'm the devil and say i should of spoke to my manager first. Firstly my manager was on holiday at the time secondly i have voiced concerns previously with no action taken. I even triple checked with the doctor that it was indeed a medication error. Has anyone been in a similar position? Im leaving this job as a result of this many other things.

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

You did the right thing. I "assume" your co-workers learned of this from the nurse in question. You don't have a clue what she may have told them, but either way it does put you on the spot. You have nothing to be ashamed about. If anyone asks, suggest they talk to the nurse manager and say nothing more. More nurses need to take responsibility for patients and notify administration of non-safe practices. Good luck in your new posting.

[VickyMcSkimming]

Thank you :) I do think there has been a lot of twisting of the facts and demonising of me. The rest all gossip about it but take no action. I'm just singled out for speaking out.

[NICURN29]

Our hospital policy is that every med error must have an incident report completed. It is not a punitive process, but it is important that they be completed in order to improve our patient care processes.

[amoLucia]

Our hospital policy is that every med error must have an incident report completed. It is not a punitive process, but it is important that they be completed in order to improve our patient care processes.

I truly hope that that is the real reason for the documentation and not a way for mgt to gather evidence (the easy way for them) for punitive actions against staff.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

Our hospital policy is that every med error must have an incident report completed. It is not a punitive process, but it is important that they be completed in order to improve our patient care processes.

It's a punitive process, no matter what management says.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

Thank you :) I do think there has been a lot of twisting of the facts and demonising of me. The rest all gossip about it but take no action. I'm just singled out for speaking out.

I'm confused, are you and StaffNurseMcS the same person??

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I am not sure how the person in question knew it was you who completed the incident report. That is not something that management usually shares.

Sounds as if your manager was up to something by saying "StaffNurseMcS wrote out an incident regarding your med error..." Not the way to be confidential, that's for sure!!

And the pp were right. Incident reports are not meant to be punitive, however, this is a good example of why some turn out to be.

Best of luck in your future endevours away from such a toxic dumping ground.

[LaRN]

I even triple checked with the doctor that it was indeed a medication error.

most med errors are fairly cut and dry and need no second opinion.

why is it that you had to get confirmation from the md that this "med error" was indeed a med error?

[kayern]

First of all, understand what incident reports are: They are intended for tracking and trending.

Secondly, whatever the med error, and you state, this is not the first one, you are not tattling but advocating for the patients of the offending nurse. You demonstrated "peer review". Don't feel bad about it and shame on your peers that may be making you feel as if you did something wrong.

Medication errors are an opportunity to education the nurse that made the error. My nurses feel very safe and I encourage them to self-disclose, for if they made the error I'm sure their collegues are in jeopardy of making the same error. It permits nurses to learn from others mistakes before they make the same mistake.

Congratulations for watching out for the patients.

[The_Optimist]

I'm confused, are you and StaffNurseMcS the same person??

For some reason, this just tickled me silly. She probably forgot what name she was logged on under.Cute:)

[jenrak]

I feel for you. It happened to me before when I started working as ltc nurse. I complained my preceptor as she was giving sedatives at 1700 instead of 2100. She expected me to follow her practice as well just to restrain the residents from walking around. I complained her directly to the management and the other nurses shortly found out that I was the one who complained her. I was bullied and ridiculed for almost 2 months. My work and my personal life were greatly affected. I wanted to quit but then I realized why would I quit when I did the right thing. I stayed and proved to them that I'm better than my preceptor. Later on, the management and other nurses found out that she's not competent and very dangerous because she gave controlled drugs 2 hours earlier than the charted time (it's not prn or stat) and she administered double dosage of beta blockers and cardiac pills. Eventually, she left after several complaints against her. Just prove to them than you work there not to cover your colleague's back but you work there because of the patients. Better inform the management about the bullying. I know the feeling, it's like you're going to lose your passion and enthusiast as a nurse. Sometimes, you doubt if you really did the right thing but hey, Well done!!! Your facility is very lucky to have a nurse like you, my manager told me that as well. So cheer up, don't let them to drag you down.