First Job and The State is Coming...NEED HELP!!

[LolaKabob]

Okay, I'm a new nurse and have been working for about three months now. The place I work at is basically a dump to say the least. Everything that could save money for them is expected of us. Because of that, I have picked up some bad habits. Now, not all my bad habits are to save money but also save time. With that said, I now am scared to death because the state is there today and I'm working all this week in the AM. I have been hearing lotsa things from the nurses that have been there about the state following them and asking them random questions about medications and how they work with certain conditions. I SUCK UNDER PRESSURE!!

Another thing is that I put all the pills in the same cup when it comes to patients with lotsa meds at the same hour. I'm not sure if I should be doing that. I vaguely remember in school being told to seperate but in clinicals, out instructor would say not to because it would take too long and waste too many cups. I'm just all around nervous of having the state follow me during my med pass.

I also heard that the state allows us to choose which patients we want them to follow us but that doesn't make sense to me...is it true??? Any advice would be MUCHHHHHHHHHHHHH appreciated! Thank you!

[dekatn]

Sounds like you are in a nursing home, try not to stress, just do things by the book. You can put all the pt pills in one cup, if it is the right time for them. Liquids go in separate cups. If it is a tube feed, you have to push meds separate and flush between each one.

The DON or adm is usually the one to pick which pt. the state follows or it always was in my nh.

Make sure the pt is in their room and not in the hallway when you give the meds. Check the ID. Check pulse when giving dig. If I think of anything else I will let you know.

[misswhitney]

I would keep all the pills in the same cup still in their packaging. That is what our instructor told us to do.

[caliotter3]

Make sure you go through the scenario of identifying your resident out loud in front of them and practice deep breathing exercises throughout. Slow down to make sure you are following procedure if you have to, but don't take too long for the pass. You will do fine. Congratulate yourself for not being the type of employee who calls out "sick" to avoid the med pass with state in the house.

[HopelessinLTC]

Been there...recently. Take your time and remember the medications rights. Keep a med book near by. Knock on the residents door prior to entering, identify the resident, wash hands/sanitizer frequently. Watch the resident take the medication! I know this all sounds basic, but trust me...when the nerves kick in it is easy to forget. When they come to my facility, they usually watch the nurse pass meds to 5 people. They didn't care who, they let us pick. Also, they do not expect you to know everything, but they do expect you to know how to find out. Good luck and relax don't rush.