first med error

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Last night was going great. Typical busy night in the ER, but I had an awesome tech helping me. 0600 came around, almost time to go home, got a new pt with tummy pain. So, I pull my meds...pain med, antinausea med, NS bolus, protonix. Give my meds, go chart, and realize I was supposed to give Pepcid. Started to panic and stare at the computer screen thinking it couldn't possibly be right and that somehow magically it would change. Went to fellow RN who step by step told me what to do. Went to tell the doctor, and had a total melt down while trying to get the words out. The doctor laughed at me and said it was no problem. He changed the order to Protonix and that was that.

Still I feel like a LOSER. Not only could I have made a more serious med error because I was not careful, as a new grad trying to live up to expectations I feel I let everyone down, most of all myself. Now I am starting from scratch on the trust pad. The topper was my unintentional meltdown while trying to get the words out to the doc. I was shaking and crying...and he was laughing. I later also apologized for my unprofessional behavior.

I can't imagine ever making another med error although I know I probably will. My stomach is still turning, I can't sleep, and the scenario keeps playing over and over in my head. I want to get over it, but at the same time I feel I shouldn't because getting over it might mean being ok with it...and I don't think I should be ok with it.

I just feel crummy... :(

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

We all make med errors, learn from it, forgive yourself and move on! Hugs, Jules

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

No need to have a meltdown like that! We aren't perfect machines, and nurses who have graduated 25 years ago sometimes make med errors. It's OK to feel bad, but I'd be more concerned about a nurse shaking and crying because she didn't give a Pepcid than I would be about the patient who didn't get his Pepcid right away!!

(((hugs))) Don't be so hard on yourself. . .:)

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Specializes in home care, med/surg ICU, ER, Hospice.

I made my first med error tonight. I was supposed to give 5 Units of Insulin IV, but gave it SQ instead. I also am a new nurse in an ED. My preceptor notified the doctor right away and he changed the order to read SQ, but my nurse manager will be informed. I'm not sure what will happen. The patient wasn't harmed.

I feel the same way you do. But we should take the advice given in the other posts.

I think we will be more vigilent when administering meds due to our mistakes.

Let's forgive ourselves and move on like Jules says.

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

Med errors are so scary. I just hate that feeling when you realize it and your blood runs cold. My first med error was about 6 months ago where I gave a woman Ativan 1.0mg instead of 0.5mg. She had two cards in the narc drawer, the bigger dose was supposed to be before bed, not lunchtime when I gave it. I was more scared though about messing up a narc. The DCD only laughed and said that the resident could only benefit from the extra dose. There was some paperwork to fill out and the doc had to be called, but he thought it more a nuisance call than anything. I did the same mistake several months later and wasn't nearly as upset, but I did feel stupid for running into the same problem, which I swore I would never do again. Unfortunately that sort of error is too easy if there's no "Dose Alert" marking in the MAR. I would only get upset now if I knew it would be something obviously harmful. It was a good thing my first error wasn't a big deal, the experience was enough to make me NEVER want to do that again! Being upset is good. It means you care. It also keeps your on your toes and humble. I work w too many arrogant, uncaring people, and the med errors they make may never be known because they are probably either not noticing or sweeping their mistakes under the rug. Come clean, 'fess up, and you will probably always be ok.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Cheer up. Yes, making any med error is painful: been there, done that, got the T-shirt. But look at this way...the patient didn't die, the doctor was understanding, and Protonix wasn't too far off the mark for what you were using it for (unlike the clonidine/Klonopin and lithium/Librium errors that I've seen happen).

IMO, getting over it doesn't mean you're saying you're OK with making mistakes. The reality is that life goes on and so you need to move on. Take responsibility, learn from your mistakes and don't beat yourself up. You're human. We all are.

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.

I agree on the above posts, you gotta suck it all in, learn from it and move on. You are a good nurse because you realized your mistake and notify the doctor of the error being made. I know what you are feeling, I had the same feeling when I made an error within this week. We are our worst enemies but we should not beat ourselves up. Remember, nobody is perfect. Try to avoid making mistakes by double checking the meds that you are giving. No matter if it takes you long, as long as you are doing it safely. Good Luck! :)

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I was lucky to get my first job as an RN in a great hospital especially when hospitals just are not hiring new grads (California). I am in my third week of orientation and have already made mistakes. I don't want to be a bad nurse or lose my job. I am learning alot, but I do feel stupid and incompetent when I make mistakes like this.. I missed an MD order for an antibiotic and fortunately the nurse on the next shift realized it and started the IVPB. Then in the same night I had an order to 60 Meq of a drug in 10 Meq bags IVPB and forgot to keep checking for the label to print out and put it in the MAR. I gave the drug and let the next nurse know, but didn't document it. I should have wrote it on the MAR after I took the verbal order and marked each bag off as I gave it. Then if I forgot to put the label on the next nurse would know what was going on. It's not that I don't know this shouldn't be done....but I forget when I get busy with meds, orders, patient needs, etc. I know I will get better and remember what I am supposed to, I just hope I get the chance. :nurse:

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Specializes in ER.

errors happen. Don't beat yourself up anymore than you already have... I doubt the doctor was being mean, just laughing it off because it was easily fixed. Hope you feel better and can move on. You know you'll double check any med for the rest of your career that looks like Pepcid or Protonix!!!!!

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

Whew! Talk about sound-alikes and med errors... just today around lunchtime I grabbed a Metoprolol 100mg which was in the drawer RIGHT next to the box of Metformin 500! The pills are the same size and both white. The only difference is that one's a bit more rounded on the flat sides. I was halfway down the hall and got a bad feeling that I should double check. My hunch was right. I could have really hurt this poor guy or worse, he had 100mg of Metoprolol just three hours earlier! :eek: But I caught it and that's all that matters. I will always remember that almost-incident and take better care.

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.

Good for you for admitting to your mistake. Usually you will never make the same mistake twice in nursing. I'm glad you actually feel bad instead of trying to hide your mishap. I made a mistake of administering eye drops--and cried over it. It wasn't a big deal according to my supervisors, but I couldn't stop tearing. Just learn to .... SUCK IT UP, WALK IT OFF!:cool:

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Specializes in ER.
Whew! Talk about sound-alikes and med errors... just today around lunchtime I grabbed a Metoprolol 100mg which was in the drawer RIGHT next to the box of Metformin 500! The pills are the same size and both white. The only difference is that one's a bit more rounded on the flat sides. I was halfway down the hall and got a bad feeling that I should double check. My hunch was right. I could have really hurt this poor guy or worse, he had 100mg of Metoprolol just three hours earlier! :eek: But I caught it and that's all that matters. I will always remember that almost-incident and take better care.

I hope you let pharmacy know that meds that are close enough in spelling are side by side. A near miss med error like that can be avoided if pharmacy intervenes....

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