Is this normal?

Trauma Columnist · Dec 12, 2006

Hi there and welcome! I am so sorry for your med error. Some degree of anxiety is normal and usually goes away once you get some experience under your belt. Please talk to a trusted colleague or family member. I would even go so far as to contact a counselor if these feelings don't dissipate. Please take care of yourself. It is only when we take care of ourselves that we can help others.

CarVsTree · Dec 12, 2006

Well... Now you've done it... You've made your first med error. I promise you it is the worst.

It's like falling off a bike. Now get back on and go.

Learn from your mistake and move on. It is normal to feel terrible and to worry about it being worse, but just learn from it. We are only human. Look at what caused your error and try to avoid it in the future.

Good luck!

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 12, 2006

You've made your mistake, pick yourself back up, dust yourself off and continue on. Quitting is not an option. You've worked hard to be a nurse and it was a mistake and you don't work, live or conduct your life in a vacuum, mistakes WILL happen.

My first med error was during NS. Me, my instructor and the primary RN were all at fault for the med error d/t major lack of communication. I cried and cried and cried, even though my patient had zero side effects of the med. I was ready to throw in the towel on this whole nursing thing because what I gave really could've had some serious side effects, not to mention, everyone talked about it for weeks. In fact, during orientation at this particular hospital my med error is talked about (again....major issue with communication).

Instead of throwing in the towel, I used it as a learning experience. I faced my fear of the nurses on the floor and got a job as a tech during my last semester of NS. Now I'm going to start as a new nurse on this same floor that my med error was made on in 1 week. My manager and I talked a long time about what happened when I was in school and I have learned SO MUCH from this experience. She said the entire facility learned from my experience and it's made everyone there more aware - even more so now w/students.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Dec 12, 2006

Good advice from the "Moms."

News flash: We've all made several. Just keep learning.

BlueEyedRN · Dec 12, 2006

I felt the same way during my first 2/3 of orientation. I was having nightmares and would wake my husband up in the middle of the night with them (I thought he was bleeding to death) and every night I swore I was never going back. But it got better. Everyone told me that it would just click and it did and now, even though I'm not comfortable yet, the terror has faded. I really have learned from my mistakes and it is amazing to see how I've grown since I started. A lot of things I never thought I would get down, I do automatically now. It'll get better, I promise. Good luck.

RITA2007 · Dec 13, 2006

Although I haven't made a med error yet, I can say that in my first four months at work, I didn't sleep well at all. I would constantly dream about things spinning out of my control. I would dream that my patients went all shift without being assessed. It was awful for a while. Now, after 7 months, work is becoming fun and I manage my time really well. It used to take me forever to pass meds, now I pass them in record time. Things will get easier!

AuntieRN · Dec 15, 2006

Thank you everyone for all your support. I know quitting really isn't an option....I knwo I worked hard to get here...and I know everyone makes mistakes...I had a much better day yesterday once I calmed down my anxiety...you all are sweet for your words of encouragement.

Now if I could only sleep a night straight through without any nightmares or dreams of the hospital.