RaDonda Vaught, the former nurse convicted of negligent homicide for a fatal medication error, has turned her experience into a paid public speaking career.
Since receiving her first speaking request in 2023, Vaught has told her story at more than 20 events, earning $5,000 to $10,000 per engagement. She discusses the multiple factors that contributed to the error, including technology overrides and system failures.
The Incident
Vaught was convicted after administering the wrong medication at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2017. She was sentenced to three years of probation and lost her nursing license.
The Speaking Career
Vaught currently earns between $5,000 and $10,000 per engagement. She has spoken at over 20 events since her first request in 2023. Her talks focus on the systemic failures—such as technology overrides—that led to the error.
Reactions and Reforms
Vaught has faced criticism from some nurses who say her talks "put a stain on the profession." Supporters, including nursing organizations, view her presentations as "transformative teaching moments."
After the incident, drug-dispensing cabinet manufacturers Omnicell and BD updated their machines to require more character entry when searching for medications. Some hospitals also implemented wristband barcode checks.
Kentucky passed a law in 2024 providing immunity for on-the-job healthcare mistakes.
Institutional Response
Vanderbilt University Medical Center declined to comment. The hospital initially did not report the error to regulators and told the medical examiner the patient died of natural causes.
"The incident exposed critical gaps in system safeguards and reporting protocols."