Medication error

[Pippen13]

Hello I’m a new enrolled nurse I work in age care, I was having a crazy shift lots of distractions happening on my shift,I work in the dementia ward, one of my patients was put onto palitive care and the doctor had written up morphine 1mg per hour, route subcutaneous. The RN I was working pre paired the medication I mentioned it was 1mg but I did not double check the medication probably with the RN which I really regret now, because the RN didn’t administer 1mg she administered 10mg in one subcutaneous dose. But because I didn’t double check with her probably we are both to blame and I can’t come back into work until I have a meeting about it, I was told the patient is fine but she is palitive so I’m a bit worried about it all.

[JKL33]

Is this a situation where it is expected that two RNs will perform a check before the medication is administered? If so, and if you didn't check it, then it is an opportunity for you change your practice in the future and this time around you will just have to admit your mistake and deal with whatever discipline they administer. Hopefully they approach it as an opportunity for education for you, a newer RN.

If there is no policy that medication will be checked by two RNs in this scenario, then I really wouldn't entertain this unless there is some other way that you contributed.

It can be overwhelming trying to learn all the policies and expectations of a workplace in addition to honing your patient care skills and prioritization. It will get easier with time. In the meantime, prioritize when you know something is a hard and fast rule and don't develop the habit of allowing numerous lesser demands to cause important things to fall through the cracks. The handling and administration of medications and especially controlled substances is one such important thing.

It'll be okay. ??

[Pippen13]

Thanks for the reply yes it needed to be x2 checked, I was meant to double check the medication but I never did check it probably and I went to the patient and watched the RN in charge administer it as well. I’m feel kinda responsible because if I did my job and double checked the medication probably the error could have been stopped. I just hope I don’t lose my registration, I have learnt a massive lesson her and I feel horrible as well

[Pippen13]

Properly* here* sorry my spelling is bad I’m still shaken up over the whole thing