Most Common Nursing Mistakes and How to Prevent Them

Mistakes can happen in any profession, but in healthcare, even minor errors can have a significant impact on patient care. Registered nurses operate in fast-paced, high-pressure environments where factors like staffing shortages, complex workflows, and evolving technology can heighten the risk of mistakes. By understanding how and why these nursing errors occur, nurses can improve patient safety and promote better outcomes.

Medication Errors 

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement explains that patients have specific rights regarding medication administration, including: 

• Right patient: The medication is provided to the intended patient. This includes confirming the patient's name to avoid confusion when patients have very similar names. 
• Right medication: The type of drug given to the patient matches the provider’s order. 
• Right dose: The amount of medication provided matches the prescribed dosage. 
• Right time: The drug is given at the time and frequency indicated by the prescribing provider.
• Right route: The drug is administered via the appropriate route, such as oral or intravenous, so it works as intended.  

Even with patient safety measures in place, mistakes can still occur. Common medication errors include giving a patient the wrong medication or an incorrect dosage, administering the drug at the wrong time, or using an incorrect mode of medication administration. These mistakes can have serious consequences for patient outcomes, potentially resulting in injuries or even death. 

To minimize the risk of errors, healthcare organizations rely on safeguards such as barcode scanning. Before administering medication, the nurse scans a barcode on the patient's identification bracelet and the medication label to verify accuracy. Comprehensive error reporting also helps healthcare teams recognize common errors and modify processes to reduce the likelihood of similar issues in the future. 

Communication Errors 

Clear communication is essential in healthcare, particularly during shift changes or patient transfers. Incomplete handoff communication can lead to missing information about medications, treatment plans, and specific patient needs. Nurses must follow established care protocols for handoffs to minimize confusion and improve care coordination.  

Many facilities rely on structured communication tools such as the SBAR framework, which stands for situation, background, assessment, and recommendation. Nurses use this framework to organize and share key patient information with the care team. Research shows that SBAR can reduce miscommunication and improve patient safety.  

Documentation Errors 

Clinical documentation guides decision-making across the entire care team, so accuracy and timeliness are crucial. When documentation is incomplete, inaccurate, or delayed, important details can be overlooked. Common documentation errors include: 

• Missing chart entries 
• Delays in recording patient updates
• Entering patient information into the wrong chart or electronic health record (EHR)
• Documenting inaccurate or outdated information 

Distractions, interruptions, and unfamiliar documentation processes can lead to challenges in documentation. Nurses should enhance their written communication skills to minimize misunderstandings and ensure that documentation reflects the most accurate, up-to-date information.  

Fall-Related Safety Mistakes 

Patient falls cause about 250,000 injuries and 11,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Many fall-related accidents happen when everyday hazards are not identified or dealt with promptly. Even small issues, such as clutter on the floor or spilled liquid, can lead to serious injuries such as fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Nurses and staff must stay alert for environmental dangers and keep a close eye on patients with limited mobility. Falls can also occur when nurses fail to follow proper procedures for transferring patients in and out of beds and wheelchairs. 

High-Risk Patient Populations 

Nurses must remain particularly alert to patients at higher risk of falling, including elderly individuals and those with impaired mobility. Physical limitations, such as muscle weakness or poor balance, can make it harder for patients to move safely. Conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease can impair judgment and awareness, making it harder for patients to recognize hazards or ask for help when they need it. Patients recovering from surgery or adjusting to new medications may have an increased risk of falling due to dizziness or other side effects. 

Fall Prevention Strategies

Hospitals and medical facilities adhere to standardized protocols to prevent falls. Staff use the Morse Fall Scale to assess a patient’s fall risk by examining factors such as their fall history, medication use, and physical or cognitive limitations. Once a patient’s risk level is determined, staff can put appropriate safeguards in place. Common fall prevention strategies include: 

• Keeping rooms and hallways free of clutter or tripping hazards.
• Encouraging patients to use grab bars, walkers, wheelchairs, or other safety equipment. 
• Ensuring patients wear non-slip socks and appropriate footwear.
• Implementing remote monitoring tools, such as bed or chair alarms, that alert staff when high-risk patients attempt to move without assistance.
• Using proper patient-transfer techniques and equipment when moving patients. 

Infection Control Mistakes  

Hospital-acquired infections can be deadly, and preventing them requires strict adherence to sanitation practices. Hand hygiene is one of the most critical practices. If a nurse forgets to wash their hands when caring for different patients, they risk inadvertently transferring harmful bacteria and viruses from one patient to another. Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is also essential in safeguarding both healthcare workers and patients. Equipment and surfaces must be properly cleaned and sterilized between uses to prevent the spread of infection. 

Equipment and Technology Errors 

Nurses are trained to use healthcare technology and equipment correctly, but on busy days filled with interruptions and distractions, dangerous mistakes can still occur. One common mistake is entering incorrect data into the EHR, such as choosing the wrong patient chart or mistyping the medication dose. Equipment-related mistakes may include skipping or misusing barcode scanning systems, incorrectly programming IV infusion pumps, or silencing alarms without addressing the underlying issue. Error reporting systems help staff recognize and resolve technology and equipment problems before they harm patients.

Fatigue-Related Errors 

Nursing fatigue refers to the physical and mental exhaustion that can result from long shifts, high patient loads, and emotional stress. When nurses are fatigued, they’re more likely to make mistakes that negatively impact patient safety and care quality. For example, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that nursing fatigue contributes to 82% of medication administration errors. 

Nurses should prioritize getting rest whenever possible and should voice their concerns when their workloads become unsafe. Fortunately, many healthcare organizations are recognizing the dangers of nursing fatigue and working to optimize staffing and scheduling practices to better support nurse and patient safety.   

What to Do After Making a Mistake 

When a mistake occurs, the first priority is to ensure the patient is safe and address any immediate concerns. Nurses should then notify a supervisor or charge nurse so the situation can be managed appropriately. Accurate and timely error reporting is crucial as it helps the care team understand what happened so they can adjust processes or workflows to avoid similar mistakes in the future. While some nurses might be hesitant to report errors, consistent error reporting helps identify system breakdowns, workflow gaps, or training needs.  

How to Prevent Nursing Mistakes  

Preventing nursing mistakes begins with the individual. Continuous education helps nurses stay up-to-date on the latest patient safety techniques and technological advancements aimed at reducing errors. Nurses can also utilize simulation training to practice high-risk scenarios in a safe, controlled environment. Peer review and teamwork are also valuable, as they enable nurses to learn from one another and strengthen clinical skills. Even more importantly, nurses must feel empowered to speak up when they observe unsafe conditions, policy violations, or system inefficiencies.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Mistakes 

Can a Nurse Get Fired for Making a Mistake?  

A single mistake does not automatically lead to termination, especially if it was accidental and reported promptly. Most healthcare organizations focus on understanding how and why a mistake occurred rather than punishing the individual. However, serious policy violations or repeated mistakes can sometimes lead to termination. 

What Happens After a Nursing Mistake Is Reported?

When a nurse reports a mistake, they are often asked to fill out an incident report so the situation can be reviewed and addressed. Depending on how serious the mistake is, there might also be an internal review or an investigation by the state board of nursing. Depending on the outcome, consequences can vary from a verbal warning to additional training, a performance review, or disciplinary action in more serious cases.

What Is the Difference Between a Mistake and Negligence?  

A mistake is an unintentional error that occurs despite a nurse making a reasonable effort to provide safe care. Negligence occurs when a nurse violates healthcare standards, policies, or laws and causes harm to a patient.  

How Do Emerging Technologies Help Reduce Medical Errors?

Electronic health records have made documenting patient health faster, easier, and more accurate. Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) build on this by providing real-time alerts and evidence-based guidance, helping to reduce human errors. Medication safety technologies, such as smart infusion pumps and automated dispensing cabinets, help prevent dosing errors and medication misuse. As technology continues to advance, it plays an increasing role in improving healthcare safety and efficiency. 

Advance Your Nursing Career with a Degree from WGU 

WGU offers nursing degree programs designed to support you at every stage of your healthcare career. The RN-to-BSN program is ideal for current RNs seeking a bachelor’s degree, while the nursing prelicensure program is designed for students preparing for RN licensure. If you’re ready to advance your career even further, WGU offers master’s degrees in nursing informatics, nursing education, and nursing leadership and management. Apply today and take the next step toward the career you’ve been dreaming of.