yesterday something bad happened to me at work, i gave a wrong injection.
just today i was ordered to the hospital nursing managers office because i mixed up 2 patients who r in the same room. one was charted for PRN oxycontin i.m. and i accidently gave this injection to the other patient in the room(the one who complained of pain and needed PRN medication) because i looked up the wrong chart. They called me at 2am to find out what happened because the patient said she got an injection and it wasnt charted in her cardex. this morning i had to meet the hospital nursing manager and the family is very very upset (fortunately nothing happened to the patient). she wasnt allergic, she was even on oxinorm p.o., given in the morning and at 22:00, so after my injection at 20:00 she didnt get her p.o. medication. i am working as an agency nurse and for the time of the investigations my shifs in that hospital were cancelled. i feel like a looser, ashamed, feel like ppl talk about me as my story spreads around like a fire in the hospital. they said it wont endanger my registration but they might still get it reported to the nursing board so ill be on their file.
i spent the whole day crying... i always thought of me as a good nurse and everybody was usually happy with my work...
my agency has to meet the head manager of the hospital on monday and investigations r going on... im so scared, dont have peace of mind
I had a pt who had a pegtube was on BC pills d/t ms and family wanting to control her periods. I crushed her pill and placed it in a small glass with water. As I let it dissolve into the water I realized I was thirsty, pour myself a glass of water, got distracted by a question from my CNA, grabbed the glass of water drank it then, Yup, realized I downed the water with the BC pill. :brnfrt:While in nursing school my instructor repeatedly told us it was not a matter of "if" we made a med error, but when:rolleyes:. You owned up to the error (which some unscrupulous people never do) and that is admirable. Your nursing record and reputation up until this point precedes you. You will move one and have learned a valuable lesson and this unfortunate experience will make you a better nurse.
From the way you say you are so depressed and suffering from panic attacks it sounds like you need to set up a councelling session. It seems from the information you have given us that you should not be having such a stong emotional reaction to this. Please go get the help you need to deal with this so you can move on.
Nursey, I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. This phase of shock and depression will pass, I'm sure. I also believe that this particular incident will make you stronger and become a better nurse. There is that saying that what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger! Hang in there, before you know it, things will look up. Stay positive and do something to keep your mind off the negative "what ifs." Exercise, eat and sleep better. I know that it's probably hard but this is the time that you need to nurture yourself better, ok? You have a lot of nurses here pulling for you and prayers do work ...I know, He hasn't failed me yet :) so try to not ruminate on negative consequences. It was an honest mistake and the patient didn't die. Someone was watching over you and the patient.
We are all human beings and so we know that we are not perfect and we all make mistakes sometimes. But what i really think is that u should have looked at the cardex first before u administered the medication:crying2:.Next time i know u will . And always remember the 6 RIGHTS of medication.
We are all human beings and so we know that we are not perfect and we all make mistakes sometimes. But what i really think is that u should have looked at the cardex first before u administered the medication:crying2:.Next time i know u will . And always remember the 6 RIGHTS of medication.
1) Right patient
2) Right route
3) Right dosage
4) Right time
5)Right documentation
6)Right medication
And a seventh that our instructers always told us was...
Take it easy on yourself. Mistakes do happen as human as we are. What you need to do is to focus on how to prevent this from happening again. Hopefully, this will also pass way before you know it.
I am very sorry. If the patient is okay and everything is fine, you hve nothing to worry about. Just stay calm and try to get some rest. You are only human, we all make mistakes. I'm sure you are an amazing nurse. Just try to relaxe and tak it easy. I'm sure everything will go just fine.
thanks so much for all your support. I wanted to let you know that things are ok now. My agency is giving me shifts again and the matter wasn't forwarded to the nursing board. HOwever I am no longer working in this particular hospital.
I had to give my cat away, had to give up my appartment (Im now living in a small room in a shared house) and had a massive salary loss in december... but things go its normal way again.
You will move one and have learned a valuable lesson and this unfortunate experience will make you a better nurse.
XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN
1 Article; 3,019 Posts
Nursey I am thinking of you. Have sent you a PM
xxx