LPN gave students meds to give to a patient w/o instructor

Nursing Students General Students

Published

My husband is in his first semester of nursing school. During his clinicals today, the LPN gave him Meds to give to a patient. He gave the meds to the patient, and unfortunetly his instructor wasn't near by. He went to his instructor to inform her of what happend and she replied "You are not supposed to give meds without me being present". My husband is fearful they may kick him out of nursing school.

Does anyone know what the policies, prodecures, course of action in a case like this?

He gave the meds at the LPNs request, he was honest and went to his instructor to inform her. We are both nervous and scared.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I guess it would depend on the policy of the school. In my program its common place for a student to give medications under the eye of the floor nurse as long as they are okay with supervising us and the instructor has indicated that they know about it and approve.

I suppose the biggest issue was that he told his instructor AFTER giving the medications. If he had came to the instructor beforehand and let her know the situation she would've told him his options (which very well could have been only one - being that she had to be present for meds). Hopefully he doesn't get kicked out, and can turn this into a learning experience. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

In our program, they were always VERY up-front about the fact that we could not give meds without our CI present, even if the patient's floor nurse was standing there with us.

If he wasn't informed of this before starting clinicals, then he shouldn't be tossed out now -- but if it WAS taught prior to this, he would be at risk for dismissal.

Has he read through the program's handbook of rules/policies to see if it's mentioned?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, it says in the manual that he'll get docked 10 points if he "jeopardizes patient saftey".

He's had a meeting with his teacher and by what I can gather, she was saying that the LPN is mostly at fault - he's been through the courses, he knows the rules and that he should have checked to she if my husbands instructor was there to supervise.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Yes, it says in the manual that he'll get docked 10 points if he "jeopardizes patient saftey".

Are you serious? Is that actually in the handbook? Only 10 points for putting a patient at risk?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment