Nurse Sentenced for Giving Fatal Dose of Wrong Drug in Error

In March of 2022, nurse RaDonda Vaught was convicted of giving a 75-year-old woman a fatal dose of the wrong medication. The former Nashville, Tennessee, health care worker stood before a judge this week for her sentencing. Vaught faced a possible six years behind bars, but in a stunning twist, the victim’s family asked the judge to show mercy. Vaught wept openly as she heard words of compassion and forgiveness. She apologized to the victim’s family for the first time.

[meganoyaski]

The biggest thing about this case was the fact that she had reported her error the moment she found out and NEVER tried to hide it. That is why the family forgave her, she knew she did wrong.

[ZombieDeathRace]

This right here is why they shouldn't force nurses, or even doctors, to work these grueling, insane shifts without any sleep, or give them up to 60 patients with no attending doctor. The entire medical industry needs to change.

[alricthered]

This story made me cry a little. A terrible tragedy, but the fact that she didn't try to hide her error redeems her.

[timmoore]

Bless the family for forgiving her. Amazing.

[Jackiecarlet]

We’re all human. And yes it’s absolutely horrible but the fact that the family forgave her just touched my heart.

[leliatarasova]

I feel like this is terrifying. She understands she messed up, and I can’t even imagine the panic and fear that she felt when she realised what she had done.

[Karensmclarenn]

The family has a huge heart. It’s so easy to be angry and vengeful

[ericmatterson]

Imagine being in a profession where an honest mistake can cost someone their life.

[Hockeistguyalive]

You can’t fake remorse, you can’t fake stress, this nurse will never be the same. She will face years of guilt, I truly hope the family stays connected with her. Her struggle is only beginning.

[JustJenReacts]

How did she even get access to that medicine without a doctor’s order? That’s what I’d like to know.

[TanyaOsterman-hwwv]

I was an LPN and I made three med errors in two years. I self-reported them (long story makes it easy to see how they could happen when you're trying to do more than one person can) and only one error would have been known otherwise. My license was revoked. The Nevada nursing board members told me they don't make mistakes.

But hey, I didn't have to be a nurse during the pandemic. Thank you, God!

[ruth]

Thank you for forgiving her, we live in a society today where there is no grace for any mistakes. I pray she forgives herself as well. I was a nurse for 17 years and the patient load and expectations for nurses were bad back then. I can't believe what they expect out of you today. My last job they gave me half the floor to take care of, they all were alot of fresh surgery's needing medications. I was in tears by the end of my shift, so I went to the head nurse that morning when I got off and said if this is the way you do nursing I don't do it this way and left that job.

[friendlyyoutubeuser]

Everything else aside, the victims family showed incredible forgiveness.

[kgotabody]

The empathy given by the family is UNMATCHED!

[VitoAnthonyD.-owoo]

What a wonderful, beautiful family. Their forgiveness hits me right in the feels.

[sydneysoleil]

This makes me terrified as a current nursing student in my first semester… but it makes me more aware of the mistakes that can happen and will make me double, triple, quadruple check everything in the future.. we can do this 💪

[marcanthony]

The victim’s family is very honorable and peaceful and I’m glad they chose to forgive than to try to destroy someone else’s life. Horrible tragedy. I wish the victim’s family nothing but the best from here.

[cgrogers]

Very sad situation for both parties. Sending prayers of comfort and peace

[Birb]

It’s nice to see people feel guilty for their mistake and receive a fair punishment. Great to see her apologize as well.

[masond]

I cannot fathom the guilt she has to shoulder for the rest of her life knowing that a mistake of her's took someone else's life away. Even if you say she has to face consequences, that's a punishment in itself.