I made a med error; got fired and my job is reporting me to BON. What do I do?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

I'm sorry you're going through this, and it must be incredibly stressful. First, take a deep breath. We've all made errors. A medication error does not define you. Here's a step-by-step approach to handling the situation:

• Verify with the Board of Nursing (BON). You may want to contact your state's BON directly to clarify whether they have received a report about you. Most BONs will confirm whether they have had any official filings or reports about a nurse. If the BON hasn't received anything, you may not have to worry, but it's good to verify.
• Review the situation. If you haven't already, document everything you remember about the incident, including the circumstances that led to the error. Med errors are seldom made in a vacuum. Was it a one-time mistake? Were there any contributing factors like staffing issues, unclear instructions, or distractions? This will help you when you explain the situation later.
•  The BON may open an investigation to determine the severity of the situation. Depending on the nature of the error, it may result in a variety of outcomes, ranging from no action to a warning to disciplinary action. The majority of nurses are disciplined for substance abuse or criminal offense, and not medication errors. The investigation will likely consider any history of errors or issues on your record.
• Consider legal counsel. You may want to consult with an attorney who specializes in nursing licensure issues. They can guide you through the process with the BON and help protect your rights. They may also help you craft a response that reflects your accountability but also highlights any mitigating circumstances.
• Remediation or education. In many cases, demonstrating that you are taking steps to prevent it in the future, such as completing additional training or education, may result in the BON showing leniency. You may be required to complete a medication administration course or other relevant training to demonstrate your commitment to improving your practice.
• Be honest and reflect. Think about what you would do differently if you could. Typically, overlooking one of the rights of medication administration is the culprit. If this was a first-time error, be sure to communicate this, along with your commitment to learning from the mistake and ensuring it doesn't happen again.
• Stay professional. Throughout this process, maintain professionalism, communicate respectfully, and follow all directions from the BON.  Respond promptly to any communication. Being proactive, honest, and cooperative will work in your favor.

Take it one step at a time and remember that this is an opportunity for growth. 

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth