Is that and error

crb613, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2006

I am a new nurse too & I know it can be hard to keep up w/everythng. I am not trying to be harsh, but instead of blaming someone else...own up to your mistake. I think it was pretty crappy to run to mgmt w/this...but there was a mistake. I would just do the med error report, learn from it, & move on. I have made one med error so far.....so I know how it horrible & sick it makes you feel.Thank the good Lord no harm was done to my pt. & no I don't think you will loose your license. Good Luck to you!

augigi, CNS · Nov 7, 2006

You don't lose your license for a medication error which doesn't harm the patient. Was this found in time and the med given? It definitely is a medication error to omit an ordered dose. Just fill out an incident report and learn from it.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 7, 2006

Any error that are part of the five rights of med administration are an error. New grads have it tough. However, it is not "snitching" to report errors, it is good patient care. Doubt much further will come of it. However, making a med error is usually a wake-up call that we need to pay closer attention.

If you feel a system error led to this, then that should be brought up too.

Good luck - its not the end of the world.

colleennurse, ASN, RN · Nov 7, 2006

I did the same thing last week. A pt was receiving Avelox IV and I thought it was DC'd, went through the orders and everything and saw the DC order, but missed the fact that it was reordered. The nurse that came on after me caught it and called me at home, just to make sure that I didnt take a verbal or something and forgot to write it down. I spoke with my supervisor the next day as I felt SO stupid for the error. She told me not to worry and to just learn from the mistake. I was sooooo happy that the nurse after me caught it. So the dose was just late, not totally missed. We are not perfect. My supervisor always tells us, 1. If the pt is safe then it will be ok. 2. If you learn form the mistake, sometimes it makes you a better nurse. Good luck!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2006

It was a med error. Klonopin is given for a variety of reasons and doses shouldn't be missed. The other nurse did what a professional should do and didn't "snitch".

Own up to it and learn from it (how did you make the error, and what can you do in the future to assure you don't do it again) and move on.

No your license is not on the line.

RNKay31 · Nov 7, 2006

The reason I said she snitch, is because I was there with her and she realize the mistake but she never said anything to me, instead she reported it.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2006

The reason I said she snitch, is because I was there with her and she realize the mistake but she never said anything to me, instead she reported it.

I agree this nurse probably should have said something to you and had you correct it then and there. That's what I would have done.

Don't focus on that because the issue is you made a med error and like it or not this nurse was not in the wrong, you were and these things need to be documented.

RNKay31 · Nov 7, 2006

I own up to my wrong, I was just asking if it would cause me to loose my license, but I did do the med error document, and all I am saying is, even if she had to report it, she should of told me too, don't get me wrong I did own up to my wrong, thanks

Trauma Columnist · Nov 8, 2006

Okay, now that its been admitted to and dealt with, you can move on.