[kitten0509]

did it say the original article anywhere? I'd like to read it

[Corsair41]

I wonder, how does one learn to do anything without practical experience?

[bloomingdawn]

nurse student in a medication error. i think you are right, there are plenty of works to be done by RNs. preparing ourself with well known med will minimize that risk anyway.

[up2late]

I experienced as a nursing student that, while we had certain responsibilities (a.m. care, bed linens, and vitals), we must either have our nurse retrieve the medications from the computer (which will not later release the same meds for the same patient twice), or if we have a code ourselves, we must retrieve the medications (again from the computer system which will not let us double draw even if not documented in the patient's file as administered) and then show our nurse what the medications are and tell her what they are for and why the patient is receiving them.

True, not all locations for nurses have this kind of computerized med system. It is certainly one which cuts down on double administration. Indeed, it becomes impossible.

I do agree that many of the errors addressed are not just student errors, but certainly regular nursing errors dependent upon too much patient load per nurse, lack of communication, lack of sleep (due to over work), etc.

Communication and support are key, plus documentation - whether students are involved or not. People need to be willing to ask for help if needed, to document when when what they needed was not available, how various situations make them feel on a daily basis, etc.

I understand some unit nurses will often feel so unsupported and understaffed and generally stressed, they start getting caged-rat syndrome: rats in too small a cage will begin biting and killing each other from the sheer stress. It is super important that we try not to take out frustration and worry on each other, but support each other and encourage and communicate - regardless of student or new nurse or long time nurse status. Patient care is not a competition; it is a goal we can all work toward and help each other along the way if we open ourselves to the experience.

[sacfamwg]

I am in the last quarter of my first year of nursing school. In my program we have two clinical days per week and this quarter we get checked-off to give oral meds with our instructor. Then we are able to give oral meds on our own, but we still need our instructor present for sub-Q and IM. We do the first check on our own, draw up the meds, page our instructor, do second check with instructor, and third check in the room with instructor before administering injections. This is all possible because we have a computerized charting system with the MAR integrated with a bar code scanning system. Of course we still have nurses notes to maintain by hand too :bugeyes Three of the nine students in my clinical group are now up to three patients, and the rest of us have two patients. Just curious how we compare to other programs!!

[cjeuck]

I am also a nursing student getting ready to graduate. I had a one-on-one semester with a nurse on the ortho-trauma unit. We were very busy but I always looked up every drug I adminstered and if I had a question I ASKED. I took care of 5 patient's at one time and I made sure I did the 5 rights everytime. I think You need to take responsibility for your self and make sure and even double checks about medications instead of blaming anyone else. It is your job as a student to know the medications and the side affects. Get over your self and take responsibility.

[Deidra36]

My assignment is to find a source that states who is responsible for the errors of a nursing student...having a hard time finding a site to quote, anyone have that readily available?

Thanks!!