how to explain that I will help them after med pass

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Hi everyone. I'm looking for advice on how to tell residents and family members in a non-dismissive way that I will get to their needs and requests *after* my med pass. I just finished my 6 days of orientation for my new job in a SNF. Since graduating I've only worked one other job, and it was in a similar SNF setting. I worked there for only 2 months. My greatest challenge was not allowing interruptions in my med pass. So of course I was always behind. Not to mention the increased risk of med errors. What is a good way to word "leave me alone during med pass" in such a way that does not come across as dismissive. When I am in their rooms, it is easier. I can say something like, "sure, I'll be happy to get you an extra blanket after I finish passing everyone's medications." But the layout of the facility is such that my med cart is right by the day room/dining room where the residents are at most of the time. There really is nowhere else to move the med cart. So I constantly hear, "Nurse! Can you...insert request here." I don't want to come off as dismissive. I do care about their requests. I delegate when I can, but the CNAs are usually in a resident's room assisting that person (or hiding somewhere, another issue I'll probably start a new thread about in the near future if it comes to that.) What do I do when a resident is calling out to me, motioning for me to come to them? I feel like I'm constantly running back and forth from my med cart to the table a resident is sitting at. Many are HOH, so I have to go TO them to respond. That takes up so much time. Plus I have to lock the cart putting everything away each time I leave the med cart. Soooo much time wasted. I'm sure time management and quicker med pass has been discussed numerous times, so I'll read up and soak up as much advice as I can.

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I am in the middle of med pass and can't do that right now. I will help you out when I am done, or send an aide to see you as soon as one is free.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Politely but firmly: I will be glad to help you as soon as I'm done passing my meds. I'm sure you understand that I wouldn't want to make a mistake because I was distracted. Thank you for understanding.

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Thank you. Wording and tone is everything. I feel bad when what they want is something so small like a cup of water. I can practically read their minds, "really? All I'm asking for is a cup of water and you don't have time?" But all of those "small" requests add up. Last week I was trying to get accu checks done. I had a lot of them and didn't know what the residents looked like. It was taking me forever trying to hunt them down. A resident asked for water, and I told him I'd get him water when I was done with my BGs. Another resident overheard me say this. A few minutes later, the same resident asked again for water. The other resident pretty much threw a temper tantrum yelling, "all he wants is water!" I gave in and went to get water. We were out of cups. (Thank you off going nurse, who was counting narcs with my preceptor at the time.) I then had to get the keys to storage from them and go get cups, which of course slowed me down. I finally poured him water and started to get back to my accu checks when the nurse training me asked if I was done with them yet. I should have stuck to my guns, and I need to be consistent.

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I know he just wants some water, but I am in the middle of an important task that I need to complete in a timely manner, which I cannot do if I stop to get everyone a cup of water.

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Specializes in Infusion.

Thank you! I need this advice too. I just started LTC as a new grad LPN a month ago with only 6 days orientation. I have 25 residents and don't get my 8am med pass done until noon, and my noon pass until 3pm (my shift is over at 230pm....then I still have to chart).....it's all those requests that set me back.....tonight I work my 3rd evening shift.....shift is over at 1030pm and I have yet to leave the building by 1230am....I am not looking forward to it. I will try these ! Thanks!

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Oh our administrator EXPECTS us to drop what we are doing! It doesn't matter if its a family member on the phone all the way at the desk! I work 7p-7a. There also is a young resident in our facility that screams and curses all hours of day and night if we dont go assist them IMMEDIATELY!!! This resident also calls family who then calls us away from med pass to tell us this resident is hurting and needs assistance. This resident I'd AOx3. Many of the other residents have complained that they are unable to sleep because of this one person. The administrator has talked with the resident and family many times and it does no good. This resident literally calls to be repositioned every 10 mins. I understand this res is hurting, but my other residents that are waiting on their meds are in pain too! I have 30 to take care of! Any advice is appreciated!

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I understand this res is hurting, but my other residents that are waiting on their meds are in pain too! I have 30 to take care of! Any advice is appreciated!

Can you get this guy his meds first? Or does he call constantly to be repositioned regardless?

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Oh our administrator EXPECTS us to drop what we are doing! It doesn't matter if its a family member on the phone all the way at the desk! I work 7p-7a. There also is a young resident in our facility that screams and curses all hours of day and night if we dont go assist them IMMEDIATELY!!! This resident also calls family who then calls us away from med pass to tell us this resident is hurting and needs assistance. This resident I'd AOx3. Many of the other residents have complained that they are unable to sleep because of this one person. The administrator has talked with the resident and family many times and it does no good. This resident literally calls to be repositioned every 10 mins. I understand this res is hurting but my other residents that are waiting on their meds are in pain too! I have 30 to take care of! Any advice is appreciated![/quote']

In my last job our DON and administrator expected us to drop everything too. We had a resident that was VIP ( not due to money, acquaintances or fame but family who knew how to and HAS called state ) anyway, I had been trying the routine of passing meds without allowing interruptions, THEN getting to my treatments. During med pass, a mother of one of the residents INSISTED I come and change her sons dressing NOW. Our DON wanted us to jump when she said jump so I did it. He had 2 very involved wounds which took time. (They werent even soiled by the way, otherwise I could understand the rush.) So when I returned to med pass, I had so many angry agitated residents still waiting for their meds. So in that case, it wasn't even the resident I had to tell to please wait, it would have been the mother, but I wasnt allowed to do that with her. I resigned from that place because management did not have our backs and were quick to throw us under the bus. Another LTC I worked for, complete opposite. They had our backs AND knew how to talk to the families to reassure their loved ones needs will be met. Since my initial post, Ive realized that even if I explain myself, if the a&o x3 resident is still upset, too bad. Im not letting it affect my emotions anymore.

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In my last job our DON and administrator expected us to drop everything too. We had a resident that was VIP ( not due to money, acquaintances or fame but family who knew how to and HAS called state ) anyway, I had been trying the routine of passing meds without allowing interruptions, THEN getting to my treatments. During med pass, a mother of one of the residents INSISTED I come and change her sons dressing NOW. Our DON wanted us to jump when she said jump so I did it. He had 2 very involved wounds which took time. (They werent even soiled by the way, otherwise I could understand the rush.) So when I returned to med pass, I had so many angry agitated residents still waiting for their meds. So in that case, it wasn't even the resident I had to tell to please wait, it would have been the mother, but I wasnt allowed to do that with her. I resigned from that place because management did not have our backs and were quick to throw us under the bus. Another LTC I worked for, complete opposite. They had our backs AND knew how to talk to the families to reassure their loved ones needs will be met. Since my initial post, Ive realized that even if I explain myself, if the a&o x3 resident is still upset, too bad. Im not letting it affect my emotions anymore.

I think we work at the same place.

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