Medication error

[Jsebastian0114]

I need some advice. I made a medication error at work. I had a very hard day with a code and a new admission that I haven't even seen for three hours. I had another patient who had a systolic BP of 190 and she was symptomatic with a headache. I was still trying to pass two o'clock medications at 6 p.m. Anyhow I had given the patient hydralazine which was to be administered IV but the patient did not have IV access. So after looking at the vial making sure I have the correct medication I administer the medication IM. I did not verify that the med was not ordered as IM. I have currently been suspended and I am freaking out that I'm going to lose my job over this. Any advice, I have to go see the CNO on Monday.

[PrincessElleRN]

On my floor (medical-surgical) it is required that all patients have IV access and that it is rotated when expired unless there is a doctor order in the chart to leave it out.

[amoLucia]

... Mistakes are tools to keep us in line and train our brains to be aware of that thing in the future.

To Kaylee - I like this idea. That's how we learn from our mistakes.

Well spoken.