Is this an acceptable practice???

I am recently employed in a LTC facility and have a couple questions
1) how can I speed up my Med pass I take all of three hours to do 20 patients I think that it is a very long time so any suggestions will be good
2) someone suggested that i prepare my meds in individually marked cups during the early hours I was wondering if that is legal as in can i do somehting like that when the state is there.
3)someone else suggested that i put stock meds that i constantly open adn close a small quantity in a cup of each (ie FeSO4, chew ASA , Vit C, Oscal etc) is that legal and can i do that hwen the state is there observing.
Hopign to hear what everyone has to say I want to see what I can do tomorrow to speed myself up.

I have 25 LTC patients on 3-11 shift. But I do OT on 7-3 and 11-7 shift so I know how they are like.
I am also a new nurse less than a year. You have to take "safe" shortcuts in order to survive and get done with everything. If you follow everything by the "book", you would be there for 24 hours. Only you can know which shortcuts are safe. For example, I have a patient that has lipitor for 8 pm and that is the only med at night so I give it on my first round med pass at 5pm so I don't have to give her anything later on. BUT I DON'T do this for BP meds, antibiotics, narcs, etc. You also have to be familiar with the particular patient in order to do safe shortcuts.

Of course when the state is around, you CANNOT do any shortcuts so you DO need to know how to do everything by the "book".

I just started passing meds and it takes me that long too for the same amount on the 7-3 shift
my problem is the narcs,open the box,punch out,sign the other book,put back in the box in order{which during count I have screwed up}I am going to go back after the pass and do my own count so that everything is in order when I do the count with the next shift}
I wont pre-pour because I am afraid I will get confused I also sign the mars as I go unlike the pro's they sign later,so I think this takes up time too...

just take your time,at least thats what they keep telling me.