frusterated with orienting

[blufoxtrot]

Just need to vent about how frusterated I am with orienting LPN's. I am a LPN and I have been orienting LPN's nonstop for the past 3 months for a new unit in our ER and I have never been so amazed at how horrible some can be. Honestly don't we all know to check wristbands and ask allergies before we give meds. Don't we all know to look up meds before we give them and to chart them when you give them. This is amazing and scary. I can't believe they got through school let alone passed boards. I am supposed to orient to the department and potientially new procedures not teach them how to be a nurse.

3 different nurses same general problem. scary.

Thanks for letting me vent. Does anyone have any ideas about how to stress the importance of the above issues. I tried the fact that it could kill a patient and you could lose your license but apparently that wasn't enough. I think they might be a little to intimidated about it being an ER and they think they don't have time to look up meds.

[fireflyLPN]

Hi there -

I'm not sure if this is exactly what you were looking for, as I am on the other end of the spectrum. I'm a new grad LPN orienting at a hospital. In general, I am a very anal by the books type person. With that being said, while working under a preceptor I have been asked to do things I am uncomfortable with. Like signing off on meds before I give them. I had to insist several times (to the same preceptor) that I would not do that. We went round & round several times before she got the point.

With the med thing, are you sure they do not already know them? Before I became a LPN I was a Pharm Tech and I do not look up the meds I am intimately familiar with, i.e. Lasix, Prednisone, Morphine, etc.. If that is not the case, maybe you could just refuse to let them pass the meds since they are endangering the pt.

Also, is there anyone at work that you present your concerns to? I think a warning from a higher up could be sufficient in getting the point across.

I hope this helps!!