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Ok, I am an RN and I work on a med surg floor. I onnly graduated 6 months ago and I know I would have had an automatic clinical failure for what I am about to explain happened at my work the other day. We get students on our unit. When these students are there, the clinical insturctor picks 2 people each week to pass meds. This particular student was assigned to a patient that my co worker had and this student was not going to be passing meds this day, so obviously it was my coworkers job to pass the meds. The RN had pulled the medication out of the pyxis and checked them, opened them out of there packages and was going to pass them, but must have been sidetracked. So she put them (they were in a med cup) in these cabinets that are outside each patients room, in a drawer and was going to give them when she was done doing whatever. So a little bit of time goes by and the student keeps mentioning to the RN that the meds needs to be passed. These were 11am meds and we have and hour before or an hour after to pass meds. So a little more time goes by and the student goes up to the RN and says, "oh I gave the patient those meds". The RN asks the student if she did it with her instructor, the student says no. (ok in my opinion that is a HUGE no no). Not only that the student gave the patient the meds that had already been popped out of the package, so she had no idea what they were! Also a big NO NO. So the RN told the student that she needed to tell her instructor what she did. The student said she would. So before they leave the RN says something to the instructor and the instructor said that the student not only did not tell her the truth, but tried to accuse the RN of making a med error, (that is another story) and she did not make a med error. So the instructor says she is going to talk to the student. These students have 1 semester left before that grad, I think she should have known better than to pass meds withput her teacher and to give something that you have no clue what it is??? Anyway....the next time they came back, the teacher told the RN that they have 3 times they can get written up before they are failed. Does that sound right? Just curious as I thought that this was a major mistake. Sorry so long!

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Speaking as a student who did this exact situation my very FIRST week of clinicals, I have to say that I would not lie about the situation. however, if I did NOT know what the med did or if it was given already, then I would NEVER give it. It happened to me. I gave Potassium Sulfate for constipation, was a powder, nurse watched me give it, but CI was no where around and I gave it after only checking with the staff nurse.

I immediately admitted that I was in error, that I should have checked with CI regarding right dose, solution, etc...Had to do a follow-up report and conference with instructor outside of class to be allowed to continue in clinical. I believe the student should have been sent home for the lying issue, then have to make up clinical date, SEVERELY scolded for med error, and then given "one more you're out" contract. Just me.

as far as CC vs. 4-years....If I had an option, I would have gone to a 4 yr. However, I do not have the funding available to me to do this. even with loans, I still would be severely in hole. I chose a CC with a high pass rate in state (97% over 10 years). After attending a 4 year for another degree, I disagree over the caliber of students. Many CC students have children, are trying to better their current career choices, and generally put in more time to get the school stuff done. Also, we have to have GREAT time managment skills, as we have a lot of other irons in the fire.

I am NOT offended, however, as you are entitled to your opinion. But, once I am your coworker, it doesn't matter if you went to a 4 yr or a 2 yr. In the eyes of the law, a RN is a RN. If you want to be snippy about it, don't be suprised when nobody wants to help you when you're overwhelmed and need some extra help for something minor. I wouldn't jepordize patients over it, but I'm not going out of my way for you. Just a thought.

Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
In order to get the highly coveted 50 spots in my CC nursing program you have to have a GPA no less than 3.5. With over 275 applicants each year, I doubt that "substandard" students are being allowed in. I am sure that 11 50 were well above the 3.5, or they would have never had a chance.

Ditto with our community college. The waiting list is now a thing of the past. Students are selected for the 70 available spots out of a pool of 300+ applicants based on GPA, ACT, and NET scores. You have to have a 3.5+ GPA to be considered competitive and that doesn't necessarily guarantee a spot. There is an interview process and if you are not accepted you reapply and start the whole process over. Our NCLEX pass rates are 99% first time pass and our reputation within the community is highly respected. This poster's comments are biased and limited to her personal experience and assumptions, no real data of any merit. It's a shame.:nono:

Specializes in OB.
It must be a law where we live, because when I was in school we were never allowed to pass any meds without the instructor checking them with us first.

I am in third semester- end of- woo hoo.. once we prove compentency, we no longer have to have our CI look at our meds, except insulin, heparin or coumadin. Every time I did a med pass with her, I knew my drugs, action, dose etc, and paramaters ( like BP, P etc) and could answer any question she had for me on the spot so 1/2 way thru the semester she told me I was good to go. Of course she or my primary are always available for questions or a double check.

Specializes in Pediatrics.

I am a nursing instructor in a BSN program, and I can tell you how it this situation would have been handled according to our protocol.

If this was the first offense of any type for this student, meaning no other issues in class or clinical and student was otherwise up-standing, the student would not have been failed. However, the incident would have been written up with re-education to the student completed by the clinical instructor and with the course instructor and/or chair of the department in attendance. (And obviously an incident report at the hospital or care facility)

Usually during that conference, it is made Very Clear to that student that if any other mistake is made, no matter how small, their a** is grass.

I would like to mention that depending on where the student is in the program, they may not need the instructor present to pass meds. Usually this is for students in the last quarter or semester before graduating. Any other time, as an instructor, I am glued to that student's side until the meds are administered.

Specializes in NICU/L&D, Hospice.

mistakes can happen, although with medication administration...it can be avoided. she not only wasn't able to perform the "6 rights", she blatently lied to cover her tail. i would expect my school would show her the door. i don't have any comments on your question about calling the program director. i'm guessing that the instructor will take all appropriate actions.

but imo there is a difference in the caliber of students in a univ program vs a community college program.

thus allowing students substandard students who may not care for our profession practice, thus leaning to carelessness in the clinical setting.

wow! because i am not a bsn student, i don't care about the practice of nursing??

these students study really hard to be a nurse, and know they want to be a nurse and usually have what it takes, and thus are more careful.

do you know why i am at a cc? i beg to differ on what you insinuate here.

i have been to both types of institutions and know the difference,

so have i! the only difference was the cost! the classes weren't harder, just more expensive! i still got a's in all classes i took at unlv.

yes your community college may have a good nursing program, but generally speaking community colleges let in more substandard students then universities. i'm not talking about the nursing programs in community colleges, but the types of students allowed into the program. :uhoh3:

thank you. be careful of the judgements you pass on others.

i'm sure some community college students are superb, but the caliber of students are generally different. the mere ignorance of this statement has disproven your own point. i have 2 young kids at home and have managed to continue with straight a's (3.98) throughout my college career. the only a- i received was from a community college class, not from the university. i have money left over after paying my tuition to not have to work, so i can study more!

The RN had pulled the medication out of the pyxis and checked them, opened them out of there packages and was going to pass them, but must have been sidetracked. So she put them (they were in a med cup) in these cabinets that are outside each patients room, in a drawer and was going to give them when she was done doing whatever.

this is hardly safe nursing practice either

Didn't mean to offend anyone. But IMO there is a difference in the caliber of students in a Univ program vs a community college program. So I was wondering where the student who made the error was taught.

HealingHands,

I am highly offended by that remark. I attend a CC. I applied to the program with a 4.0 overall, 3.8 prereqs and got in as an alternate. All applicants that were selected had a 4.0 and then we were sorted by the NET test.

Our university here, USF, has been accepting 3.0's. They also have shorter hours than we do.

I don't put myself above or below anyone else. I have never posted here, but reading what you wrote, well, was astounded.

I sure hope you change that attitude before working with the "CC nurses".

:nono:

Specializes in Tele, ICU, ER.

Anyone else a little put out about the fact that this nursing student also LIED to her instructor and accused the RN of a med error? It seems to me that this kind of CYA attitude also gets into the work place with defense attitudes, some due to the punative attitudes many institutions have regarding med errors.

When (if?) this student graduates, will she report any med error she makes on the floor? Or will she cover it up, or try to blame the next (or previous) shift for a mistake she makes?

She used bad judgement in giving those meds - she really should have known better, but I'm really bugged by the attempt to cover up and lie.

On the CC/Univ remark: Go get your first job. Let's see you ONLY go to univ-trained RNs when you need help or have a question.... if you even know which nurses they ARE!

Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

I don't know that the student would be failed right away but maybe...definately would have a committee meeting I'm sure to vote about what happens.

Was the RN late giving the meds? If so, the student should have been asking but never ever take them and give them...if I were the student I would have asked the RN a few times (as it were getting closer to the late time) and then maybe have asked my instructor if we could do it to help out the RN since she was busy.

I agree never ever should a student give meds without the instructors consent and never without having opened them theirselves to know what the med is.

Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

Oh yeah...sorry just read back about the lie too...that would be a violation of the honor code in our school which from what I understand has pretty bad consequences. Yikes!

Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.
I have no idea why attending a community college or a university would make any difference in this situation or any, for that matter. The standards are the same. Errors are errors, no matter where you go to school or the type of RN program.

I am offended by your insinuation.

:nono:

I see your point there, I attend a diploma program and regardless of where the person attends it is still bad...I do agree that what type of school they attend is not an issue.

sorry!

Specializes in OB.
this is hardly safe nursing practice either

no doubt! what if someone else wandered by and took the meds??!?!??!:uhoh21:

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