Fear of making med error as a nurse?

augurey · Jun 7, 2015

My fear of killing someone because of an error I made was the biggest reason I never went to NS before (until now).

You have to remember that you're going to be learning how to calculate dosages. With practice, you're going to get to know how to do this very well. Even when my dosage and calculation class was over, the next nursing class we had, each test/quiz had some dosage calculation questions on it. We were told that every class from now on would have these questions on the exams to keep us used to doing it and remembering how to do it.

I was terrified of taking the dosage and calculation course because I've never been great at math. The way it was taught and knowing there were a couple of different methods (though not for everything) made it really easy to get through. There are certain things that there's really no alternative ways and you just have to know, but it'll probably be drilled into you. You're going to be doing these kinds of problems over and over. Honestly, as much as I've always disliked math, I really enjoyed the dosage and calculations course. I love calculating dosages now (which I realize sounds absolutely lame).

You're going to have to know this in the clinical setting - supervised - so you'll have supervised hands on practice with it.

It's absolutely scary, but I also think that's a good thing (because you know what making a mistake can do). You have to be confident, but you have careful, accurate, and check yourself. If you ever think there's an error, you're going to check with someone else before you administer it.

I can't say if this fear gets better over time because I have yet to do a clinical / pass meds as I withdrew, but I do think it'll be nerve wracking at first, but I think as you gain the knowledge and practice it, you'll gain confidence.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 7, 2015

You can buy a dosage calculation book and start practicing med math now. The more familiar you are with reading and solving these problems, the more confident you'll be in the clinical setting.

30pls_rn_in_trng · Jun 7, 2015

My fear of killing someone because of an error I made was the biggest reason I never went to NS before (until now).
You have to remember that you're going to be learning how to calculate dosages. With practice, you're going to get to know how to do this very well. Even when my dosage and calculation class was over, the next nursing class we had, each test/quiz had some dosage calculation questions on it. We were told that every class from now on would have these questions on the exams to keep us used to doing it and remembering how to do it.
I was terrified of taking the dosage and calculation course because I've never been great at math. The way it was taught and knowing there were a couple of different methods (though not for everything) made it really easy to get through. There are certain things that there's really no alternative ways and you just have to know, but it'll probably be drilled into you. You're going to be doing these kinds of problems over and over. Honestly, as much as I've always disliked math, I really enjoyed the dosage and calculations course. I love calculating dosages now (which I realize sounds absolutely lame).
You're going to have to know this in the clinical setting - supervised - so you'll have supervised hands on practice with it.
It's absolutely scary, but I also think that's a good thing (because you know what making a mistake can do). You have to be confident, but you have careful, accurate, and check yourself. If you ever think there's an error, you're going to check with someone else before you administer it.
I can't say if this fear gets better over time because I have yet to do a clinical / pass meds as I withdrew, but I do think it'll be nerve wracking at first, but I think as you gain the knowledge and practice it, you'll gain confidence.

Thank you for writing this. It serves as some comfort knowing I am not the only one who feared having the responsibility of someone's life in my hands.

I've always wanted to be a nurse but I, for many years let that fear get the best of me. Not anymore! It's still scary, but I welcome the challenge & journey. Like you said, being scared is a realization that you care about the outcome and affects of administering medication. I plan on taking every opportunity to learn and ask questions.

If ever any doubt have someone double check your calculations. A couple of extra minutes and eyes can save someone's life.

wanderlustnurse88, RN · Jun 7, 2015

I only have one dose calculation that I use regularly. We are fortunate to have IV pumps for all IVs so I don't have to figure out drip rate. In the beginning I always double checked with another nurse and will still have someone else do the calculation if it is something I'm questioning the math on. Just remember, if you have to use more than one vial, double check. Sometimes you will need multiple vials but it is always good to double check.

ns808 · Jun 8, 2015

Thank you all for your response! It helps to see that I'm not the only one who had this fear. I am going to practice as much as I can to slowly build a bit of confidence.

FutureLVN2019 · Jun 14, 2015

I have chickened out of nursing school for a lot of years now because of fear of killing someone. Now I'm 36 years old and still trying to do it. I'm still nervous and debating on if I can do it or not. This post was perfect for me to read. I'm so glad I'm not the only one with this fear, but I thought to myself, if I'm so scared of it that means I will be way more cautious when I am dealing with meds because of that fear. I'm definitely not going to be too confident and just rush it. I'm going to take my time and make sure I'm giving the correct dosage and check it 3-4 times before I give it. I hope I can be successful as a Nurse.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jun 15, 2015

Before you ever get to the point of being ABLE to make a med mistake on a patient due to math errors, you will have had to pass a math course that teaches you how to do med calculations....so there's one layer. You'll be with a clinical instructor who will be standing next to you while you prepare to give a med, and that includes going over your calculations. He/she won't be letting you harm anyone, so....there's another layer. Once you graduate, there will be a preceptor.....you get the idea by now, I'm sure :)

LONG before you are in the position of killing anyone, there's be people there to stop you

Hang in there...study....and you'll do fine :)

ns808 · Jul 4, 2015

@RNsRwe We are having dosage calculations test soon so your response definitely helped motivate me. Thank you! :)

ns808 · Jul 4, 2015

@futurelvn2016 You'll make a great nurse! You seem like a caring person and I agree with you that a little fear will keep you on your toes and alert. That can be used to your advantage and not be a negative influence.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jul 5, 2015

@futurelvn2016 You'll make a great nurse! You seem like a caring person and I agree with you that a little fear will keep you on your toes and alert. That can be used to your advantage and not be a negative influence.

I agree with this poster!!!!

Also, please understand that nursing math, in my opinion, isn't as difficult as abstract math. It's more concrete and real. (For example, in my work as an Lvn in ltc I mostly had to calculate simple things like if a pt has an order for 1500 mg and you only have 500 mg tabs, how many tabs do you give the pt? )

It's not terribly difficult either as long as you have a system to do your dosage calculations. There are YouTube video tutorials you can watch, plus your instructor will teach you how.

As for me, I really like using the "dimensional analysis" method because it allows me to double check myself as I do the problem.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2015

The math required for nursing practice is incredibly basic. If you cannot manage it, you will not and should not pass the program. Not everyone who wants to be a nurse should be a nurse.

That said, I bet you will be just fine. As already mentioned, you will be taught everything you need to know and your instructors will not throw you into the fire until both you and they are confident you know what you are doing.