Preceptor Nightmare

babynurselsa, RN · Dec 1, 2005

So is she now saying that you performed this act independently without her?????

You say that she was there with you. I would immediately (if you have not already done so) fill out an incident report of your own and word it exactly as it happened.

No if you followed the proper procedures then you should be fine. Errors do happen and you can be sure that this is probably not something that you will ever let happen again

Relax take a deep breath and talk to your instructor asap.

JentheRN05, RN · Dec 1, 2005

Well all I can say is we ALL make med errors, if not in school, in real life nursing. I've made one, could've even had dire consequences, but it DIDN'T! I, 2 weeks on the job, got a diabetic patient for the first time since school. I had always hated diabetic patients because of the complexities of managing their insulin. Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't really HATE perse' and definately not directed towards the patients, it was more of a feeling total discomfort with the whole disease. Well anyway - I got my first diabetic patient as a nurse, still had a preceptor, mis-read the MAR and gave the patient 100 units of lantus!!! I caught it a couple hours later when I was making up discharge instructions and immediately went to my preceptor. I had even shown her the syringe before I gave it! But she didn't think about it either so I ended up giving it. We told the charge nurse, and called the doctor. The discharge was put on hold and I had to go tell the patient what I had done and that they had to stay an additional day. I was crying as I tried to explain the stupid mistake I made. The family was upset but very understanding.

Next thing I new, in comes the doctor. She grabs me by the arm and says are you so-and - so's nurse? I said yes. She said, we need to talk. Took me into a room and proceeded to jump down my throat. I told her that it was MY mistake I am sorry and then the tears came AGAIN. I just felt terrible! About that time, my preceptor snuck in the door and stood by my side. Said she had seen the syringe and had thought it was a little odd, but didn't say anything. She was kind enough to be there for me. Through my tears I made the doctor perfectly clear that this wasn't going to happen again. She finally let up a little bit and patted me on the shoulder. Suggested I get into some sort of medical administration class or something to that effect, said I might lose my job, she doesn't know and left the room.

Of course the entire day I was hovering over this patient watching for a reaction, feeding him ice cream, giving him snacks. LOL He knew I felt bad, and even though he wasn't hungry he ate everything I brought him gladly because he wasn't used to getting that stuff.

Well, his blood sugars never dropped and I was saved from the worst kind of med error, one that should've been/could've been fatal.

That day I learned to check the MAR twice, once as I'm pulling up the meds, once as I put the in the cup/pile for administration, and then check the patient when I get in the room.

I haven't made a med error since, and somehow, I still am on time leaving in the morning after all that checking and rechecking I do on the MAR.

LOL so, moral of the story, this will not distroy you, the patient wasn't harmed, and if it was just an antibiotic, that the patient was already on, then no harm will come of this, but you will LEARN from this mistake, mark my words, you will, when you feel your entire education or your job is on the line, you will find a way to be positive you are following the 'rights' of medication administration.

Keep your chin up, it happens. The fact that you admitted it is a good thing. Make sure your instructor knows, knows what you did, how you will plan to prevent this in the future, and that the nurse will see everything you give before you give it.

Good luck. Sorry so long, it's just my example of how we ALL make mistakes.

LoriAlabamaRN · Dec 2, 2005

The nerve of her! She's trying to cover her own butt because she probably wasn't supposed to let you take the meds in to the patient without her. I would contact your preceptor's supervisor and ask to have a meeting with both her and the other nurse. She will be less able to lie about you to your face, and the truth should come out then. If she still lies, at least you will have proven you disputed her accusations. I'm praying for you sweetie, but I am sure things are going to turn out fine. Have a glass of wine to take the edge off, then get a good night's sleep. This too shall pass (and so will you!)

Lori

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2005

You're not going to get kicked out. You are going to have a chance to tell your side of the story. The thing that stood out was you said "I made a med error", which means you're willing to accept responsibility for your part in it and that's a good thing. It's a learning experience, and you'll never make that type of med error ever again.

The sad thing is the preceptor made the med error along with you and isn't owning up to it. There probably isn't much you can do except to let your instructor know that she did indeed check your meds, and perhaps to not use her as a preceptor anymore, and perhaps the instructor or yourself should notify this preceptors manager. Ask your instructors advice first.

Good luck.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2005

Hi Raevyn. I understand what you're going through. I'm finishing up my preceptorship right now... just one more shift to go. There are so many things that can go wrong. Yesterday I was drawing up crushed meds from the little medicine cup with the piston syringe with my preceptor in the room. I spilled the cup and lost half the solution onto the bedside table. Well, technically that too is a med error. She was very charitable about it and didn't make a big deal but I felt like it was the end of the world and I will learn from it.

I think your preceptor is taking this a bit far. I know mine would have handled it differently. BTW, I've been independently giving most meds since day #2.