PREVENTING AND LEARNING FROM MEDICATION ERRORS

Throughout the demanding nursing school curriculum, nursing students are taught the correct way to implement the nursing process, perform assessments, document, communicate, and administer medications. Knowledge of the best processes and steps to countless nursing procedures is critical to prepare nurses to provide safe, competent care. Particular emphasis is placed on proper medication procedures and how to prevent medication errors. Unfortunately, this preparation may not include much guidance on the procedures that should occur if a medication error occurs or the potential psychological ramification of a medication error. Clinical preceptors and nursing faculty need to educate nursing students on how to proceed when a medication error occurs so that nursing students appropriately handle medication errors and prevent similar errors in the future.