Soooooo..... I made my first med error & I feel awful!!!

elkpark · Mar 13, 2008

We all felt awful the first time we made a med error -- and we all survived. Don't be too hard on yourself -- you aren't the first, and you won't be the last. Everyone makes med errors, and not just as newbies -- I just recently made my first med error in a very long time (I only recently returned to direct client care), and I felt awful, too!

As long as human beings are giving meds, there will be med errors. We just try to be as careful as we can, and make as few errors as possible (and try to have the errors we do make not be serious ones! :))

leslie :-D · Mar 13, 2008

thankfully, when our med errors affect us so much, there are little to no repeats.

eventually, it happens to every single one of us.

regardless of how much we do, there are certain things that command our attention...such as meds.

it's good you feel badly.

but your pts weren't hurt, and you've learned...

even better.

time to move forward.

you'll be fine.

leslie

JB2007, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2008

I am going to tell you the same thing that another more experienced nurse told me when I made a med. error. Everybody makes med. errors. You were smart enough to catch it and to do something about it. Do not beat yourself up about it. Just learn from the error. I hope this helps.

aeauooo · Mar 13, 2008

IMHO, if a nurse tells you she/he has never made a medication error, watch out, you're either talking to a liar or worse, someone who isn't aware the she/he has made an error.

It happens, and we feel awful when it does, but I'll let you in on a little secret: contrary to what we are told in nursing school, in general, it's really hard to kill a patient - not that I've ever tried!

If stupid mistakes (which making a medication error is not) were always fatal, no one would walk out of a hospital alive.

Agnus · Mar 13, 2008

but What IF I HAD Hurt the PT???? .

You did not hurt this patient. What if, is a totally useless question. You will make more errors. It is part of being a nurse. It is part of being human.(hug)

OklaLPN · Mar 13, 2008

The thing is to ask yourself...what have I learned from this? My great nurse mentor taught this to me. I was so down on myself and sick to my stomach. But, I learned a very great lesson.

As the other posters have stated...you are definitely not alone. I know you are feeling down on yourself, but don't. It has happened to many of us while giving meds.

Hang in there!!!

OklaLPN

luvschoolnursing, LPN · Mar 13, 2008

You made the error, you reported it and did what you needed to make it OK. You sound pretty responsible to me.

Covering it up-now that's a problem...

medsurgrnco, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2008

You can avoid giving a med to the wrong patient by always checking a name band before giving a med. When I have very hectic shifts, like yours sounded, I slow down when giving meds as I know I am at more risk to make an error. Early in my nursing career, I almost gave a med to the wrong patient 2-3 times one morning but caught myself each time by checking name bands.

keg901369 · Mar 13, 2008

I know exactly how you feel, I made my first med error the other night. I too, am a new nurse and I hung Jevity instead of Glucerna for a diabetic resident. I too, was busy and frazzled and flat hung the wrong thing. I felt and still feel just like crap over it !! I wanted to throw up myself !!! Like all the others have said, it happens !! That's what they told me too !! Learn from it and remember that passing meds is one the most important thing you do !!!! You did the right thing too by reporting and following up on it !!!!

Apollorn · Mar 13, 2008

Thanks for sharing.

I understand how awful it feels to make a med error. You get that rush of emotions: surprise, embarassment, shame, anger, and sickness.

Don't sweat it, take what you learned, apply it for the next time and you will be okay. Accidents happen and it's great you caught it :)

Keep your head high and remember: if you feel awful that means you're one damn good, caring nurse. I'd love to have you caring for me if I was in the hospital! :jester:

YellowFinchFan · Mar 14, 2008

You can avoid giving a med to the wrong patient by always checking a name band before giving a med. When I have very hectic shifts, like yours sounded, I slow down when giving meds as I know I am at more risk to make an error. Early in my nursing career, I almost gave a med to the wrong patient 2-3 times one morning but caught myself each time by checking name bands.

Yes, I also ask the patient their name even if I know them well - one more check for me as I'm looking at the name badge.

To eccentricRN

I never pull more than one patient's med at a time. Its my hard fast rule, I write the patient's name/room number on the med cup - I also recheck my med one more time on the computer before I give them. Then while giving the meds I say what they are, how many mgs etc and listen if the patient seems "confused" or questions a med. I never give it - I'll go check again.

I found that any time I came close to making a med error (or actually made one) it was because I strayed from my triple check routine! So that's one way I stay SAFE - I don't stray from my system.

Forgive yourself, you will learn some of your biggest nursing lessons from mistakes (unfortunately) Your patient was not harmed - forgive yourself:nurse: