Medication Error..total sadface : (

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Utilization Management; Case Management.

So...I'm a new grad. First job...5th full shift with preceptor....1st freaking Med Error...always wanted to say never : ( but...there goes that hope. I was told it wasn't a big deal, but I feel horrible. I'm up to 3pts now and today I voted on doing the admission for a 4th pt (honestly I didn't want the 4th pt....wasn't 100% confident but I wanted to do the admission...so I think me and my precep's lines got crossed) So me, being the over achiever decided I would keep it moving. The pts meds took forever to become available and they were about to lose it if they didn't get something for anxiety...So here comes my precep with the ativan and I had just looked at the order and....since I was sure I checked it and I just admitted the pt I felt "on track." My med administration was wonderful, except for the part that I gave 2mg instead of 0.5mg :eek: Yes the pt was fine and was about 200lbs so it "didn't hurt" as I was told (I dont even think the 0.5 would've helped her much) I STILL FELT LIKE UTTER AND COMPLETE CRAP!! Never again!! My medpass strategy has just changed and become way more strict...but still...My director, manager and educator..as well as pharmacy with now raise an eyebrow at the new grad and her supid mistake...My precep told me I did great today balancing my pts and charting etc but I feel different. I feel that I didn't manage my time as well as I could have and if I would've checked the omicel myself I probably wouldve avoided the problem...this sucks...I feel horrible....really just want to curl up in a ball...and I work tomorrow....I just don't want it to affect my progress...if anything I want to improve how I medpass and what my strategy will be for PRNS, STATS, and such. I've always felt that I would make an excellent nurse...this feels like I just got 5 million demerits on my journey to awesomeness...Thanks for lending an internet ear AKA eyes and keyboards :o

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Yup, it sucks, I had one myself the other day, (making my total two in five years). It does make you feel like ****. You should feel glad that A) no harm came to the patient and B) you've gotten the first one out of the way. Many errors happen when we are rushed. I'm sure you do, but have a system for yourself and stick to it. Suck it up, beat yourself up a little, then move on. I don't know any nurse that has not made a med error. You are obviously concerned and responsible, get back in the game and learn from it. :)

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I'm not a nurse yet but I just wanted to send hugs your way :hug:

It sounds like you are learning from this experience which is always a good thing.

Hang in there! :heartbeat

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Look sweety - mistakes happen.

Why do you think pencils have erasers?

Why was white out invented?

Why is there a "back" and "delete" key on a computer?

Because mistakes happen!

Don't be so hard on yourself. Mistakes happen. It just so happens that in nsg, a mistake has the potential to cause harm.

Learn from this and move on. Focus on the fact that your pt is OK.

Every nurse makes mistakes. Even nurses with 20 years experience make mistakes!

I've been a nurse for 25 years yet a little while ago, I gave the wrong dose of heparin. Almost every pt I've had has been on 5,000 units. then I got one who was one 2,500 units. I read 2,500 units. I said to myself 2,500 units yet I still gave 5,000 unit. Pt OK. Nurse - a wreck.

Learn from your mistake and move on. Don't let one little error take you down.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

Always remember the 3 check rule. Check the med when taking it out, check the med against the order, check the med before giving it to client.

Some people do it in a different order but the same theme should abound; 3 checks.

Everyone has made a med error; everyone. If a nurse tells you that they've never made a med error and they've been working for > 1 year, they are not telling the truth.

Learn from your mistake and move on.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

We ALL made mistakes in nursing. If someone says they are a nurse and never made a med error, their are either lying, or they haven't been a nurse that long, or they don't give a whole lot of meds. Thankfully, your first error was not a major, and no harm was done. You learned from it. That is what matters. I bet it is a LONG time until you make another error. ;)

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Do you know how many med errors your manager, educator, and pharmacist have dealt with and will deal with in the future? Trust me, this one will blow over and no one will remember it in time. You feel terrible because you are a good nurse! It happened, the patient was fine, you've learned from your mistake... and you will now be a more attentive nurse because of it! Don't beat yourself up!

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Specializes in Utilization Management; Case Management.

Thanks everyone : )

Pepper...you had me at "Look sweetie" lol. I talked to my mom (always top three phone cals when ish hits the fan...or gets near it) but she's not a nurse...so tho she understands, it's to a point, ya kno. Amazing how a few words can make you feel : )

GooeyRN...ya freakin right its gonna be a long long time, lol

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.
...if anything I want to improve how I medpass and what my strategy will be for PRNS, STATS, and such.

Above says it all. You've learned that you need to improve your system. So improve it, and move forward :)

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The most important thing is that you learned from the mistake. I would be worried if you did not feel bad about the error. If you remember your 5 R's your less likely to have a med error. 1. Right pt 2. Right route 3. Right dose 4. Right time 5 Right med.

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The most important thing is the patient didn't get hurt. After that consider it a mistake and a blessing no one was hurt.

You also learned here not to take on more than you can handle especially when so new and never assume where meds are concerned. This will serve you well in your career.

Don't feel bad and don't think you will be judged for this one error. Chances are you are judging yourself much more harshly and the others have all moved on over it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Well, u have learned the hard way unfortunately. Try to develop a strategy when giving medications. There is a BIG difference in some meds b/ween 0.5 and 2mg so this could have been serious.

I find the biggest annoyance when doing meds is the patients in the room chattering away (and demanding patients). They don't understand why we do meds as we do, so I explain it all to them. I also say something like 'I will have a chat to you after I do all my meds, as I can make a serious error and harm someone'. the patients understand afer that.

Sit down with your preceptor & analyse where u went wrong. Were u in too much of a rush? Did you not check the order correctly? Were u distracted? I NEVER rush medications, even if I am behind & the patients/Drs are all screaming about something. It is just not worth making an error, and if someone's meds are late, I explain that I don't want to rush & possibly harm or even kill them. I've drawn up a wrong med, but we double check our IV meds/IVABs & benzo's etc so there is no error. We even double check NS for flushes. Perhaps you could do this 4 a while? Just develop a good, safe strategy with ur medications, & remember don't let anyone rush u!

ADD: U also need to go over ur maths again to see where u went wrong - did u do a wrong calculation perhaps?

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