Help! narcotic key turnovers

Specialties Geriatric

Published

i'm basically new to a nursing home facility and have been working for a week now as a charge nurse on a night shift. am still overwhelmed by amount of things to accomplish throughout the night. what i usually do is to come early and start my chores early. Here is my PROBLEM....the NEXT UNIT always call me to either hold the key for them without counting the narcotics so they can go home early and not wait for the next nurse to come over. in some nights, they will come into my unit knowing that am early and WILL CALL ME TO COUNT WITH THEM and leave the key. my problem is, am not comfortable holding the narcotic key for the other unit. it takes my time just to count with narcotic with them which is not my unit. i come early bec i want to finish my job and not to become as a holder of the narcotic key next door. i am already overwhelmed and still adjusting with my job, counting for another unit which is not mine makes it more overwhelming. The next unit says that it is just but a norm for them to turnover the key to next unit if the incoming nurse at their unit is late. WHAT CAN I DO? am just not comfortable with the idea. HELP!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Rehab, Home Health.

Just say no! But nicely for example -- "I'm sorry that I can't help you but you know I'm still pretty new here and I come in early to get on top of my work load. I just can't take on any extra duties at this point -- maybe you need to speak to "insert DON's name here" about talking to your relief about getting here on time. "

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-surg.

I agree. I would not count and keep their keys. You mentioned they will do this is if the next shift is late. Well, that would be reasonable. But if you are coming in early to get your work done, I would politely tell them that they can just wait for the next shift. It takes time out of your work to count with the shift that is leaving, then you have to count again with the oncoming shift! By the way, are you clocking in when you come in early? If they will let you that is fine. If you are not clocked in yet, then it would be easy to tell the nurse asking you to count that you are not clocked in yet. That usually stops the nurse from asking anything more.

One more thing, if they are counting with you because the next shift is late, soes that mean they are leaving after they count? That doesn't seem safe. They need to wait for the next shift to relieve them and give report. If they leave, are you responsible for their patients also? I would not do this. Again, I think it is reasonable to tell them they have to wait for the next shift to arrive to give report and count. Tell them you cannot watch their patients and yours at the some time. If the next shift is chronically late, they need to talk to their supervisor.

Hope that helps and good luck with your new job!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-surg.

Thought of one more thing. If this continues to be a problem, especially if this is "the norm" as you say, they don't come in early. You are just making more work for yourself and not helping any. If you come in on time, then you just have your work and are not taken advantage of. If you can't get everything done, then you can stay late. Not that I would want you to stay late, but then at least you would not be doing other people's work and just finish your own. Plus I have a feeling as you work a little longer you will become used to the patients, routine etc and you will find yourself completing everything on time.

:twocents:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you talked to your nurse manager about this? I know mine would say no to the idea of counting some other unit's narc cabinet.

Not only that, but once you have the narc key and that nurse has left the building without counting, you are now responsible for any discrepancies. Not a good idea, even on your own unit.

As a new nurse, I know it is hard to say no - especially with the "that's the way we've always done it" line, but you have to protect yourself. It is very possible too that they are pulling a fast one by saying it has always been done that way. I got that a few times when I switched to nights. Learned real fast that that wasn't always true and wasn't always what my nurse manager wanted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks for everyone who replied...ill keep that in mind. at least i now have an idea of how to respond. thanks to all!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

If you have the key, who is going to give the meds if someone needs them? You? Do you work both units at once? I can't see a boss being happy with this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

Just say no...the very fact that you are uncomfortable with it means you should say no. Listen to your gut. Others have offered good ways to word your "no". It's not your problem if their relief is late--they should approach their supervisor/DON regarding that issue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just say "NO"! I left a job because they wanted me to prepour the meds and narcotics for the next shifts. They told me "That is the way we have always done it." I did it for about a week and I was sick to my stomach everyday that I left work. I finally did not do it and the day nurse went off on me. The administration told me that it was ok for us to do that because it was an assisted/independent living facility. I asked them to show me in writing...they could not. I gave two weeks notice ( I did not prepour meds or narcs) and I found a job that I love.

Go with you gut and always remember that you worked hard for your license and you are the only one that can lose it.

Jen

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Its not only the narcs you are responsible for, you are also the only nurses for those units. How can you accomplish any work on your unit? And as was mentioned, how about report? These nurses need to deal with their time problems without you. It would be better if you told them no, but coming in on time will do the same thing. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

There is always a nice way to say no, for example, "I would love to help you but I come early because I need the time to do my work properly and cant manage with the added responsibility of your narcotic count, why dont you check with our DON what to do."

I can't imagine the DON is happy with nurses leaving early and not passing on the unit in person to the next shift.

Dont get into an argument, you dont want enemies, stay pleasant, and SMILE.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC.

Don't do it. Everybody would like to go home early sometimes, but you are putting yourself in a position of responsibility for the count of those narcotics. If you still want to hold the key, count and then let them go. Otherwise, you have to explain potential missing pills. Not worth it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment