Following a nurse who doesn't give her meds?!

[Cola89]

Seems like I am following a nurse who routinely doesn't give meds, yet signs that she did. How do I "know"? They are left in the med cups, in the patient's section of the med cart. Saw this a few times when I was orienting. The nurse orienting me said she had told the unit manager and nothing was done. I hadn't experienced following this nurse myself much yet--- until 2 days ago when I finally did have to follow her shift. Saw an entire am pass of pills for one resident in their section of the cart. It's supposedly a regularly occurring problem that never gets dealt with.

Our patients (and isn't this true for every patient on prescription meds?!) are too unwell for them not to be getting their medications as scheduled. These are patients on a "skilled" unit. I tried reaching the unit manager to discuss a few things a couple of times... she doesn't make herself available. She has stated that she doesn't even want the job she has, and it's obvious because she does a crappy job too. Can anybody give me advice on how to approach this? Simply put- I don't want to follow someone who doesn't give their meds.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Document, document, document, your efforts. Take it up the chain of command .

Chances are.... this is a for profit facility, and nobody will give a rat's patooty.

Do you want to get the state involved... or do you want to move on?

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

I was going to post a detailed description of how I handle this, but everything I do requires a functioning management system that you say does not exist.

So if I were you, I would find another job ASAP. Without management or coworker support you would simply be launching a quixotic effort that will likely end up with you being the one getting canned.

In the meantime, talk to some trusted coworkers and see what they have been doing. Then do that.

[Cola89]

Document, document, document, your efforts. Take it up the chain of command .

Chances are.... this is a for profit facility, and nobody will give a rat's patooty.

Do you want to get the state involved... or do you want to move on?

Document where? In my own notes? Other than that, I don't know where I would... I want to move on. Put my notice in already. Actually, I am even scared to go back to work ... scared because I don't trust this nurse enough to follow her, and I don't trust management. I really don't.

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

Look for another job. Other than than fill out a med error sheet each time you find this has happened. Make sure you note it somehow for your personal reference in the future if need be.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

check the cart BEFORE you accept the keys. otherwise, it is a he said/she said sort of thing.

[Ruger8mm]

Document to cover your butt. Talk to administration if you are concerned the DON and Hospital Manager aren't addressing it.

[ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN]

At least call the state ombudsman for the elderly anonymously so that they put this facility on their watch list.