OH MY GOD I gave the wrong pill!!

[nursing_student84]

I Work as a med aide in a retirement home. This resident who I always give a hydrocodone pill to at 3am was an accidental switch by me and was given somone elses hydrocodone pill. This other pill was a higher dose. The nurse calls me this morning and tells me about what i did. The resident is ok but now I don't wan't to become a nurse anymore......Any thoughts.

[Jules A, MSN]

Please use this as a learning experience and don't let it spoil your plans to become a nurse. Imo, any nurse that denies ever making an error is a liar. You are human, your patient is ok, figure out where you went wrong and try to be more careful in the future. Hugs, Jules

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

Really you dont want to be a nurse any more cause you made one mistake?? We all make mistakes, we are human. We need to learn from our mistakes. I made two med errors during clinicals, I was horribly embarrased and upset at my stupidity, I even had to meet with the Dean and ya know what she told me "Everyone makes mistakes, learn from them, we are human" dont beat yourself up over it. If I ever meet that says "I dont make mistakes" I will run very far.

[Jolie, BSN]

I appreciate your concern over your error, and agree with the others that it will likely make you more conscientious in your continued practice.

I mean no disrespect to you by this statement, and I realize that everyone makes mistakes (RNs and LPNs included) but I believe that this highlights the importance of having licensed personnel administer medications in the in-patient setting, especially narcotics. Your limited knowledge of meds and their effects puts you at a disadvantage in terms of recognizing med errors, and knowing how to respond to them.

[leslie :-D]

I mean no disrespect to you by this statement, and I realize that everyone makes mistakes (RNs and LPNs included) but I believe that this highlights the importance of having licensed personnel administer medications in the in-patient setting, especially narcotics. Your limited knowledge of meds and their effects puts you at a disadvantage in terms of recognizing med errors, and knowing how to respond to them.

you know jolie, i was going to make the same point about med aides.

but felt extremely awkward, knowing all the mistakes licensed personnel make.

leslie

[nursing_student84]

Thanks for the replys! I feel so stupid though! And it is rather embarrassing! This is my first mistake though so I should learn from it and try to get passed it. I thought the nurse would've chewed me out but she didn't. She just told me to pay attention to the names and be more careful the next time. If it happens again it results in a write up at work. But thanks again.

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

sounds like your are good nurse material. no one can beat you up for your mistakes better than yourself. learn from it but don't run! :icon_hug:

[BradleyRN]

I Work as a med aide in a retirement home.

Working as a med aide puts your conscience at risk. This mistake was relatively benign if the pt that received the higher dose didnt fall as a result. Nonetheless, fully prepared nurses make med errors that sometimes cause deaths. Dont compromise your career as a nurse to line the greedy pockets of some facility that doesnt mind risking your well being or the pt's just to turn a larger profit. Only nurses should give medications. Good luck with nursing school.

[shellsgogreen]

i have yet to meet a nurse who has not made an error they wish they could take back ...what you did was not intentional, don't be too hard on yourself.

you're in the learning process, in fact, we learn everyday, that's what makes us better nurses with each day.

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

Don't give what you want to do based on one mistake. I was a personal care assistment while I was in lvn school and we were studying pharmocology at the time. I gave the wrong person someone else's meds. I immediately called the lvn and told her about and was in near tears. The meds didn't really contain anything that would hurt the pt and she told me" you did the best thing by just admitting to it"

You have admitted to the mistake and then move on. We are human. People put nurses on a high enough plate but we must remember mistakes happen. You will be more conscientious now but it is not the end of the world. Praise yourself for taking responsibility for your actions and keep on keeping on....

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I've made a couple embarrassing med mistakes. Fortunately none serious. I am super cautious about giving meds and even have other nurses check if it is something like insulin, heparin etc.

Don't beat yourself up too much. Just learn and continue on.

I once gave a pt way too much laxative. Called the doctor who laughed and he said I hope you have the same guy tomorrow and have to clean up lots of poop. funny

[Jo Dirt]

There are more important things to worry about now. Don't let it cause you anymore anxiety.