Hi everyone! So my nursing program starts on June 22nd and tbh I am not that great at math. Because of that I am really paranoid with anything to do with numbers. For example, I work as a cashier at work sometimes and I check everything so many times to make sure I don't make any mistakes and this slows me down a bit and I still feel as if I may have made a mistake.
When it comes to other people's lives being on the line I don't trust myself enough especially with numbers to do it all correctly. I really want to be a good nurse and not harm or kill anyone but this fear of making a med error gives me so much anxiety and I worry I will mess up...did any of you have this fear? How did you become confident and trust yourself overtime? Any suggestions on which book I can start reading and practicing before the program starts?
Just remember this...once you administer all bets are off. The time to do the work is prior to administration. If you discover after you administer it is better than never realizing it, but the damage (and paperwork) is not going away. More important than some book is to find a quiet place to CONCENTRATE when getting meds prepared. I don't talk to anyone when I am preparing meds. I triple check everything. Yes it is time consuming, but less than med error paperwork and my patient deserves the best care.
In my nursing program- in order to pass the first semester we were required to make 100% on a med-math exam. We had 3 tries, and all of us were successful. The pressure to start our program off with a good foundation in med-math makes being an RN much easier
That being said- I work at a large hospital and almost ALL med math for medication dosing is done and calculated by pharmacy. There is almost none that I have to calculate on my own. Obviously we have to check the math though.
Relax- it all comes with the training and experience. Ask questions when you don't know and have a coworker double check Even if you are totally sure.
windsurfer8, BSN, RN
1,389 Posts
Just remember this...once you administer all bets are off. The time to do the work is prior to administration. If you discover after you administer it is better than never realizing it, but the damage (and paperwork) is not going away. More important than some book is to find a quiet place to CONCENTRATE when getting meds prepared. I don't talk to anyone when I am preparing meds. I triple check everything. Yes it is time consuming, but less than med error paperwork and my patient deserves the best care.