Aussie nurse trying to Understand Canadian Nursing

Hi there

Okay, I asked if I could watch a nurse draw up morphine and sign on book. I was waiting for another nurse to come in and witness the vial that is being drawn up, the date, pretty much the 5 R (Right patient, right route, right drug, right time, right amount). Anyways, things are so much different here in Calgary or if its national wide too. As back in Oz, we get the drug keys for the restricted drug medication cupboard, have another witness and count the drug and sign out how many tablets or vial/mgs used. Check the drug, the order, draw it up, sign the drug book, and we both go to patient and have patient tell us their name, check their patient number and allergies.

Though at the moment I am not nursing in Canada. I am inquisitive and looking at what happens in the units here. Its hard to break a system of what is taught back in Oz and watching what happens here in Calgary.

Pretty much what I witnessed is that one nurse gets drug, draws it up and has another nurse witness how much disposed and sign.

Anyways, I wish there was a booklet with what Canadian Nurses do with medication administration.

Any other info you wish to share with me, I would be happy to know