Today I made a big mistake.

MedicalPartisan · Apr 1, 2014

Sorry that I can't add anything of use to you to this discussion since I've not yet started... But will you really be dropped for something like this? I understand it's completely unacceptable but to be dropped from the program instantaneously? Wow.

matthewandrew, NP · Apr 1, 2014

Be ready to explain yourself and what you have learned. Be sincere with your apology and you may have a chance to stay. This happened to my friend. She got in trouble but apologize profusely. They let her stay.

Matthew Andrew, BSN RN

EP, RN · Apr 1, 2014

Sorry that I can't add anything of use to you to this discussion since I've not yet started... But will you really be dropped for something like this? I understand it's completely unacceptable but to be dropped from the program instantaneously? Wow.

I don't know if it is universal, but the no. 1 rule at my school is do not pass a med without your clinical instructor in the room b/c you will be dropped from the program.

For the OP, I think a lot of whether or not you get into the same program or a different one will have to do with how you handle the situation after the fact. But again, just my opinion.

Edit to say: Good luck! I hope it works out for the best for you.

matthewandrew, NP · Apr 1, 2014

It's probably not universal but at least try. Good luck and pls learn from this!

Matthew Andrew, BSN RN

elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 1, 2014

was there any harm caused to the patient ? while this may be generally a grievous tort, you may not necessarily be dropped from your program. the only way to know for sure of course is to consult your program/school syllabus, but generally its always up to the discretion of your instructors.

But seeing as how they've actually filed an incidental, they may be fully prepared to take action against you. Im sure youll be able to apply to another program though. This however may require a certain level of discretion with the information you want to divulge if asked about your other program that some (most) would consider dishonest.

i'm not telling you to do this, nor am i condoning trying to downplay your situation or your mistakes especially in a field like this where the truth may come back and bite you right in the license, with that said if one were inclined to take such a route, that would be the best way to to go.

SilleLu · Apr 1, 2014

Kind of curious how this happened...you knew you weren't supposed to, but did it anyway? How were you able to get the meds?

student-rn · Apr 1, 2014

Thank you! Oh yes, I will remember those two meds very well from now on :)

student-rn · Apr 1, 2014

Kind of curious how this happened...you knew you weren't supposed to, but did it anyway? How were you able to get the meds?

Oh...my patient and I, we had such a great communication, and she recognized her meds right away. She even encouraged me to administer it, since "she has been doing it herself at home all the time, and she doesn't not feel it at all". It's just slipped out of my mind that my professor should be in the room with me... We, as a students, were allowed to administer meds today.

student-rn · Apr 1, 2014

was there any harm caused to the patient ? while this may be generally a grievous tort, you may not necessarily be dropped from your program. the only way to know for sure of course is to consult your program/school syllabus, but generally its always up to the discretion of your instructors.
But seeing as how they've actually filed an incidental, they may be fully prepared to take action against you. Im sure youll be able to apply to another program though. This however may require a certain level of discretion with the information you want to divulge if asked about your other program that some (most) would consider dishonest.
i'm not telling you to do this, nor am i condoning trying to downplay your situation or your mistakes especially in a field like this where the truth may come back and bite you right in the license, with that said if one were inclined to take such a route, that would be the best way to to go.

Thank you for your advise! I appreciate you took your time and replied to my post.

1. When I was leaving (since a student can't stay right after the accident) I checked my patient. She seemed to fall asleep, covered with the blanket, since pain med was administered. Also, I gave her a bath that " she needed it, and it did feel good".

2. I feel tremendous guilt for causing so much trouble for my clinical instructor, because she is a wonderful instructor, and I apologized to her. But it's just did slip out of my mind, that I have to have someone in the room, because my patient was so kind and supportive to me. Plus, as I said, she did recognized her meds right away, and start telling me how she administered it herself.

3. I am aware of the circumstances that may follow. One door closes, another opens... I am a student who has to learn from the mistake, and it happened to be that this one was my own.

student-rn · Apr 1, 2014

Be ready to explain yourself and what you have learned. Be sincere with your apology and you may have a chance to stay. This happened to my friend. She got in trouble but apologize profusely. They let her stay.
Matthew Andrew, BSN RN

Thanks again, and yes, I feel very guilty for what I have done. There is no any valid excuse for it. Especially me being not that young like the rest of the students, I feel like it might be a sign and I should not be in this program...yet...

student-rn · Apr 1, 2014

I don't know if it is universal, but the no. 1 rule at my school is do not pass a med without your clinical instructor in the room b/c you will be dropped from the program.
For the OP, I think a lot of whether or not you get into the same program or a different one will have to do with how you handle the situation after the fact. But again, just my opinion.
Edit to say: Good luck! I hope it works out for the best for you.

Thank you!