OwlNP

So many interesting points being made here. I don’t know if I feel she should be charged. I have been going back and forth, but I really have a hard time with the fact that she had to reconstitute the med and that this did not cause her to pause and reassess the situation. I think losing her license is probably enough punishment and I am sure she is punishing herself enough. Such a tough situation. However, I also do think that the hospital should be held culpable for their responsibility in the error, such as poor training, under staffing and the override process of medications.

I think you have been given some great advice. It’s all about finding what works for you. If you are already feeling behind try and pick up where you are now and don’t let what you have not done weigh you down too much, otherwise you are always going to feel like you are drowning. I found it helpful to take simple notes in class then go back and copy them down while color coding my notes. Not only did the colors help me remember, but the copying down the information again also helped me remember the content. Reading every word before lecture was also not very helpful for me. I skimmed and read the main points then returned to the book after lecture. Nursing school is very different and tests are also different. It’s hard at first but NCLEX style questions really do help when it’s time for the big test. Take a deep breath. You can do this. You will find your groove and you will do great!

I used to have a position very similar to what you describe. I worked the first months without an MA and it was challenging to say the least. An MA was eventually hired and it changed my entire practice. Performing med recs, entering vitals, prior auths, making phone calls were all able to get done in a timely and efficient manner. My charting was always behind unless I charted at home until I went to sleep. I think that if they will never find you an MA it would be worth looking for a new position.

I agree that many errors come from being too task oriented. I remember my very first med error and I will never forget it. I remember feeling very stressed and overwhelmed with my pt load. I gave a med IV that was ordered IM. I never gave pain meds IM so I just assumed it would be IV. I was guilty of not performing my 5 rights. I think having a culture of learning from mistakes and not of punishment and humiliation is so important. I think every nurse that makes an error has that initial moment of panic and wonders if they should report.