suspended :(

[stethoscope21]

Last week, my 2 coworkers and I got a med error because we did not give the coumadin, we assumed that because the mar was flipped, it means that it was discontinued. I felt really stupid because that is very important. Then, during my last duty, I was about to give the patient the wrong medicine but the family member noticed it and i went to double check and yikes it was the wrong medicine. I asked the patient if she was having diarrhea and she said yes so I threw it away. Then I was about to give the suppository instead of the cream. That day was crazy, so many interruptions, 3 admissions, 1 trying to get up all the time. I've never felt so stupid in my entire life. I'm incompetent, unsafe and a failure. I should've triple check everything and follow the basics (Five rights). It happened in my first nursing job in long term care. I'm working there for almost 7 months now. Patient is fine but the family member might report me to the state. I got suspended. I am not sure how long. I'm really depressed. I'm trying to find another job but it's really hard to get motivated when all I think about is "Is nursing really meant for me?" I'm disappointed in myself. I don't want to lose my license that I've worked hard for. would love to hear your advice awesome nurses....

[chiflavored]

I'm sorry for the trouble you're going through. =[. I don't have any good advice except to keep your heads up. Mistakes happen and it's more important if you learn from it. Put your effort into working extra hard now. You have to prove that you have learned. Be ready for what to come but don't let it get to you.

[stethoscope21]

Thank you chiflavored! Those are wise words. I should work harder and prove to everyone and myself that I learned from my mistake and it will hopefully (fingers crossed) never happen again. I will be more careful.

[caliotter3]

If you are allowed to keep your job, take this as a lesson learned and follow your own advice. You would be fortunate because so many people get shown the door for even the smallest of med errors, and some have been fired for errors that were not even their own. Slow down! Take a deep breath once in awhile! Good luck.

[LaughingRN]

Just trying to clarify-

The family reported you to the state because you missed a dose of coumadin, or because you almost gave a wrong med?

I'm not seeing a basis for involvement at the BON level here.

Sounds pretty petty.

I hope you find a new job with a fostering environment, and I hope you keep looking regardless of the outcome at your current place.

I mean, despite our best laid plans, we are human..........

[LilWhiteHat]

Take this as a lesson and be more aware. It's ok. You won't lose your license. You never hurt the patient. Just take things easy and go step by step. Yes follow the 5 rights at all times. Hang in there. Being a new nurse is overwhelming

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

The family was going to call the state because you ALMOST made a mistake? Maybe you should be pro active and ask for a refresher course on how to safely pass meds. You can't let any of the hundred interruptions make you lose focus so the right person gets the right med at the right.......

[morte, LPN, LVN]

Have you ever been tested for ADD?

[stethoscope21]

The family might report me for almost giving the wrong medication. For the Coumadin problem, the don helped us with talking to the doctor and family, that is another patient. The don did an inservice about it. Do you guys have any tips to prevent med error? @morte: nope

[morte, LPN, LVN]

The family might report me for almost giving the wrong medication. For the Coumadin problem, the don helped us with talking to the doctor and family, that is another patient. The don did an inservice about it. Do you guys have any tips to prevent med error? @morte: nope

Then it is time to get tested! not to provide an excuse, but so that you can learn how to cope with it.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

I don't think the BON is going to do a darn thing about "almost giving the wrong medication". Med errors happen, it's not a good thing but it is a fact. The BON only gets involved in an actual med error in extreme circumstances. If the BON got involved with every nurse who almost made a med error there would be no nurses left.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

....don't think that is the state agency that the OP was referring to. The OP works in LTC. The "state" to LTC isreg body over seeing LTC.

I don't think the BON is going to do a darn thing about "almost giving the wrong medication". Med errors happen, it's not a good thing but it is a fact. The BON only gets involved in an actual med error in extreme circumstances. If the BON got involved with every nurse who almost made a med error there would be no nurses left.