Med error,I'm suspended,I need advice,please!

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HI,

I am new to this site and I would like to say hello to all the nurses out there!!My name is Julie and I am an LPN.I made a med error two nights ago and have been suspended without pay till further notice.I have a hearing tomorrow with administration and my union representative.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks so much!!!

Specializes in Case Management.

But I have to ask why the RN preset 5 narcotics? They have to be signed out so she had to be in the narc drawer, right? a pattern has been established.

I agree, that whole thing sounds very fishy. How did the RN not realize when she was signing out the narcs that she was making a mistake? :redlight:

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It was a mistake, and it sounds like Mama 2-3 has learned from it. The patient was not harmed (Thank God), but it is appropriate for the institution to investigate.

I think that the institution handled the whole thing very poorly, however. Suspension....maybe that was ok, but escorting with security was really over the top and very demoralizing for everyone. This act shows that the institution doesn't give a rat's a&& about creating a supportive, constructive workplace for employees. And then the same institutions wonder why they can't get enough nurses...........

It's been interesting to read this thread. I know this is off topic, but some of the posts (not the majority) have really shown the culture of 'Nurses eat their young.' Med errors are certainly important, and they need to be dealt with and avoided. But I think it's more constructive to help someone to change behavior and learn from mistakes than it is to automatically assume that someone is incompetent and 'deserves' harsh punishment. JMHO.

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But I have to ask why the RN preset 5 narcotics? They have to be signed out so she had to be in the narc drawer, right? a pattern has been established.

I agree, that whole thing sounds very fishy. How did the RN not realize when she was signing out the narcs that she was making a mistake? :redlight:

When the RN poured the narcs into the cup she thought she was pouring phenobarbitol,the cards looked exactly the same.The only way to notice the difference was to look at the label.She did not record anything.If she would have went to the narc sheet she would have caught it.That is how I found the error,when I went to look for a pain pill for another pt.There were 5 oxycodone missing,I panicked,I had the keys to the cart,I was on that cart for approx. 5 minutes and then this whole thing took place.I looked everywhere for those narcs.I panicked.I counted and recounted,a million things ran thru my mind of where they could or shouldn't be,except for one thing,the RN had put them in the prepoured cup that was sitting right in front of me.Did I think for one moment that they were in that cup.absolutely not,I trusted her as she does me.I have to trust my colleagues.

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So sorry to hear that you have to decided to leave nursing altogether. I understand the horrible feeling you have and am upset that you were treated the way you were. I have definitely made my share of mistakes as a nurse and was always treated fairly and kindly. And each mistake has only made me that much better as a nurse. I too, would be absolutely devastated if your situation had happened to me. But please reconsider your decision to leave nursing. Leave that place of employment? Absolutely, But I assure you that the way that particular institution treated you is not the norm. I wish you well.

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Specializes in LTC and Critical/Acute Care/Homehealth.

My med error was made with the help of the supervisor. The patient was not harmed. I realise now that if I had taken the Dr.s order with me, to someone else, it never would have happened. I was taken off the hall and put on another, but I was so upset that the error was made in the first place, that I quit. It has taken a year and a half to get over it. I was a new graduate, had been in school for 3 years (pre reqs and such), plus my husband was being transferred 1000 miles away. Maybe my reaction was over kill, but the only sympathy I got, not that I wanted it, was "Well, at least you didn't kill someone" If I had known about this site then, it might have been different.

Quick note: I am going back to work. I spent the last year racking up 110 CEU's so at least my brain is still fine.

Hang in there. My thoughts are with you.

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My med error was made with the help of the supervisor. The patient was not harmed. I realise now that if I had taken the Dr.s order with me, to someone else, it never would have happened. I was taken off the hall and put on another, but I was so upset that the error was made in the first place, that I quit. It has taken a year and a half to get over it. I was a new graduate, had been in school for 3 years (pre reqs and such), plus my husband was being transferred 1000 miles away. Maybe my reaction was over kill, but the only sympathy I got, not that I wanted it, was "Well, at least you didn't kill someone" If I had known about this site then, it might have been different.

Quick note: I am going back to work. I spent the last year racking up 110 CEU's so at least my brain is still fine.

Hang in there. My thoughts are with you.

I have realized thru all this,that I am not infallible.I guess in the back of my mind I thought I would never make a mistake.God knocked the chip off my shoulder and sent me back down to earth.NOw I will have to pay for my mistakes.I am so glad you have decided to go back.You are a bigger person that I could ever be.I am just waiting for an answer from my place of employment,then I will put in my 2 weeks notice.Nrsg is stressful enough,but if you don't have the support of your administration your sunk.Thanks so much.Remember, when God closes one door,he opens another.

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Here's a little rundown of what happen.40 bed unit,we were short a nurse so the RN that was covering the house had to take one cart.9pm at nite she was called to another floor for an incident that had taken place.I was at the station trying to catch up on a pile of charting and numerous other things.ONe of her pts. foleys came out and she asked me to look for one,I did that and when I came back she had poured pills for a pt but couldn't give them because he was in the shower.She left them on top of the cart and asked me to give a pain pill to another one of her pts.She left for the other floor,I went to give the pt the narcotic and notice that the count was 5 off.I didn't give him anything until I could find out why the count was off.The gentlemen then finished his shower and was asking for his pills that were prepoured by the RN.I called the RN and asked if she wanted me to give them to him,she said yes and I did(BIG MISTAKE)So happens when she came back and I told her about the narc not being right,she said,Oh my God I put five Oxycodone instead of 5 phenobarbs in the cup.I immediately sprang into action,Assessed the pt.called the DR.CAlled 9ll.Looked for narcan in the crash cart.The pt at this point was fine.He left the building in 10 minutes and was admitted for observation.He returned the next day with no harm done.I was treated like an absolute criminal,I was not allowed to enter the front doors without being escorted and was told by the security(very loudly,not to cross the line.I am sick.

I just got finished meeting with the BON dealing with narcotic discrepencies, it's pretty harsh. First error,second error, with narcotics it doesnt matter. Hopefully the facility will just punish you for the error, even though you were put in a bad situation. We were all taught if you didnt draw it up, dont give it, same goes for pills. I know you know this, and I am so sorry, just admit where you did wrong, it looks like you already have and hopefully the facility wont turn it in to the BON.

I got my license suspended but I will have it back in two weeks and I will be back to work. 3 years probation for narcotic discrepencies. WOW! But I lived to tell about it even when I thought I wouldnt. I was physically sick, depressed, just ready to give up. Dont. Things will get better! I will be thinking of you. :icon_hug:

Lisa

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Specializes in LTC, sub-acute, urology, gastro.
JUst wanted to thank you for your support and all the wonderful nurses for theirs as I am dealing with this med error thing.I absolutely did the wrong thing in dispensing those meds without pouring them myself.I am still suspended.I had my hearing yesterday and told my part of the story.The patient is fine,bottom line.I have never made a med error before.I will never do this again.When this whole mess is taken care,I will be leaving nrsg.I was treated like a common criminal if front of the families of the pts that I take care of.Did I deserve it,absolutely not.Not only did this security guard defame my character the other day,on the way out of the building,he yells in front of everybody,"Are you guys done with her!!Real nice.Anyway,I need to move on after this is all over.I don't know which has destroyed me more,my stupid med error or being disgraced in front of everybody.Thanks so much for all your support,I really needed it.I know when God closes one door he opens another one.

A mistake was made by both nurses & unfortunately you were the only one held accountable. Your management did not handle the situation fairly or professionally at all, not to mention the idiot security guard & his big mouth. We all make errors, I know I have, but you learn from them & move on. It sounds like you learned from this so now it's time for you to move on...to another facility. Good luck!

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HI,

I am new to this site and I would like to say hello to all the nurses out there!!My name is Julie and I am an LPN.I made a med error two nights ago and have been suspended without pay till further notice.I have a hearing tomorrow with administration and my union representative.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks so much!!!

If no harm was done to the patient, I think that the place were you

work is going a LOT OVERBOARD in having any kind of hearing. Have

you done something to make them not like you? They need to "chill out"

a little bit.

:balloons:

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;)

I just got finished meeting with the BON dealing with narcotic discrepencies, it's pretty harsh. First error,second error, with narcotics it doesnt matter. Hopefully the facility will just punish you for the error, even though you were put in a bad situation. We were all taught if you didnt draw it up, dont give it, same goes for pills. I know you know this, and I am so sorry, just admit where you did wrong, it looks like you already have and hopefully the facility wont turn it in to the BON.

I got my license suspended but I will have it back in two weeks and I will be back to work. 3 years probation for narcotic discrepencies. WOW! But I lived to tell about it even when I thought I wouldnt. I was physically sick, depressed, just ready to give up. Dont. Things will get better! I will be thinking of you. :icon_hug:

Lisa

Thank you so much for your support,it helps to know that other nurses have been thru this,I haven't heard anything yet from my place of employment.The RN that was involved in this incident called me yesterday,the union stewart had called her and said that they were going to report it to the BON.That's where this is headed.It doesn't matter if she poured the medicine,I am just as guilty giving it.I might as well have poured it myself and gave it to him.When you were suspended did you continue to work at the same place?So glad things are working out for you.Again,I appreciate your support so much,it means the world to me. ;)

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Believe me you don't want to work in a place that isso unsupportive. I've been a nurse 14 years in a hospital. In my opinion the nurse who poured the medicine is primarily responsible. It was her error. The only error you made was by doing her a favor. Mistakes happen when a floor is short staffed. It's administrations responsibility to see that their is adequate staffing to provide safe care for the patients. Sounds to me like they are using you for a scape-goat.putting the blame on you when infact you were the least to blame for the error. Primary responsibility was administration secondary the nurse who poured the meds, your a very distant third. To have been treated so unfairly is so wrong. You are so much better off not working for a facility like this.

Plenty of opportunitys in nursing consider this a valuable lesson learned.

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Believe me you don't want to work in a place that isso unsupportive. I've been a nurse 14 years in a hospital. In my opinion the nurse who poured the medicine is primarily responsible. It was her error. The only error you made was by doing her a favor. Mistakes happen when a floor is short staffed. It's administrations responsibility to see that their is adequate staffing to provide safe care for the patients. Sounds to me like they are using you for a scape-goat.putting the blame on you when infact you were the least to blame for the error. Primary responsibility was administration secondary the nurse who poured the meds, your a very distant third. To have been treated so unfairly is so wrong. You are so much better off not working for a facility like this.

Plenty of opportunitys in nursing consider this a valuable lesson learned.

I'm sick over this whole thing.the RN that was working with me was in charge of the whole house and in charge of a med cart with 20 patients.That is so totally unbelievable to me.When I was in my hearing I brought that up,I agreed,yes I made an error and so did she.But to look at the circumstances around it are unbelievable.She was being called from floor to floor for incident reports(this is a ltc facility)240 beds.So that left me with 2 med carts and 40 people.The RN supervisor's office is located on that floor right behind my med cart.That supervisor was on the computer most of the night,doing God only knows what.I have never worked in a place where an RN had the cart and the house.She should NEVER have to do that.Administration should never have put her in that spot.How much are we suppose to handle without virtually cracking up??

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