What should I do if I make a mistake at my site?

Everyone makes mistakes at work, and preceptors expect students to make some. What they remember is how you handled it. A mistake you report quickly is usually a small problem. The same mistake found later by someone else is a trust problem.

Report it fast and plainly

As soon as you realize what happened, tell your preceptor. Don't wait for the perfect moment or until you've fixed it. A clear message covers three things:

• What happened: "I sent the partner survey with last year's link."
• The impact, as far as you know: "It went to the full partner list, and a few people have already responded."
• What you propose: "I've drafted a correction email. Can I send it today?"

Skip long apologies and self-criticism. One sincere "I'm sorry, that's on me" is enough. Then focus on the fix.

Know when it's urgent

Some mistakes need to be raised the same day, in person or by phone rather than email: anything involving confidential or protected health information, safety, money, or something sent to the public or a partner organization. Your site's privacy training usually spells out who to notify and how fast. Follow that process exactly.

Prevent the repeat

After it's resolved, figure out what caused it and add a simple safeguard, such as a checklist, a second review, or a pause before hitting send. Mentioning the safeguard to your preceptor shows you learned from it.

Keep it in proportion

One error doesn't define your practicum. If you find yourself replaying it for days, that's a sign to talk it through with someone you trust, and your campus counseling center is a good option if the worry won't let up. For scripts on raising hard topics, see difficult conversations about problems.