Medication Error

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  1. Has anyone else done this?

    • 23
      Yes
    • 10
      No

33 members have participated

Hey everyone,

I am not a nurse yet, I am in school for my RN. I made a medication error and now I feel like I should never be a nurse. Does anyone else feel this way? The patient was not harmed because of it and I honestly just didn't go over my 6 rights well enough. I now how the 6 rights written on my badge so I will always do it but it was a dumb mistake and I feel terrible. My job does not take lightly to this either. I really just question my ability to be an RN after this. I love school and do well and love my job and patients. Am I the only one to make a mistake?

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Anyone that hasn't made a med error is lying or hasn't made one yet. Dont beat yourself up too bad over it, as long as you learn from it.

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You are a student. You cannot...legally ...make a medication error. Any medication you administer is under the responsibility of your instructor and the patient's nurse.

You are in a learning role. NOT your fault.

Peace.

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Hey everyone,

I am not a nurse yet, I am in school for my RN. I made a medication error and now I feel like I should never be a nurse. Does anyone else feel this way? The patient was not harmed because of it and I honestly just didn't go over my 6 rights well enough. I now how the 6 rights written on my badge so I will always do it but it was a dumb mistake and I feel terrible. My job does not take lightly to this either. I really just question my ability to be an RN after this. I love school and do well and love my job and patients. Am I the only one to make a mistake?

Most of us have made medication errors at some point, although I do believe that it's unusual to make one while in school. Who was supposed to be supervising you and where were they?

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I am a CMA right now... Not in clinical yet. So it is on me.

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Thank you, my work is not cool about this and I feel awful. They make it seem like it has never been done before.

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I am a CMA right now... Not in clinical yet. So it is on me.

That's actually better. At least you don't have to worry about being booted from school for doing something reckless. Learn from your mistake and move on. You're not the only one, although it creates a very lonely feeling when it happens to you.

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Sorry should have said more. It was at work , I'm an MA

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

What was the error?

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Gave a TDap instead of a flu vac. Wrong pre filled vial.

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I honestly just didn't go over my 6 rights well enough. I now how the 6 rights written on my badge so I will always do it but it was a dumb mistake and I feel terrible.

It sounds like you are taking full responsibility. You thought about what you did wrong and have already taken action to correct yourself. This is excellent.

All work places take med errors seriously, but some are more punitive than others. My work place was supportive of errors as long as you did everything you needed to do after the error was made (call the doc, monitor the patient, fill out a report, etc.)

We have all made mistakes.

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Thank you, the patient was not harmed. I am just terrified to do this again

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