Help I'm being kicked out of nursing school!

[miwachiru123]

Yesterday at clinicals, I was watching my instructor change a PCA. There was still 5ml left in the syringe (5mg) but since this was not a full dose, the machine made us change it out for a new syringe. My instructor took the dilaudid and said she was going to go waste it. Well at the end of the shift there was a discrepency in the omnicell and it was from the dilaudid. My instructor told all the nurses that I had it last and it was my responsibility. I never even came in physical contact with the syringe!!

They are threatening to kick me out of school what do I do help!!

[Medic09, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Start by calmly, respectfully telling the truth. It may be your instructor will realize his/her mistake. Sometimes it is that simple.

[WinterGirlyRN]

Go to your director of the school. First of all shouldnt she have witnessed the waste with you? Its ultimately her responsibility for anything like this happening. Secondlly, why did she tell the nurses she had nothing to do with it? That is just screaming "I'm unprofessional".

Be a pitbull, dont let them kick you out. Threaten her with a report to the State Nursing board.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

yes i would remain calm. it may just be a misunderstanding. did they tell you they were going to kick you out of school? i'm sure everything will be allright. keep us posted. just tell the truth and it will all turn out . i send you lots of hugs

[NurseCard, ADN]

I agree, just tell the truth. YOU know that you didn't touch the syringe or lose it, and that to me is ultimately the most important thing in the world. Don't let this irresponsible instructor ruin your career chances.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Wow, that's terrible. I agree to schedule an appointment with the director of the program. If what you say is true, this instructor may have a serious problem!!! Write down a detailed account of what occured so you don't forget!!!

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I agree with the advice you've been given. Stay calm and make a written statement of your side of the story. It sounds like this instuctor either forgot that she wasted it (though since it was only yesterdey i'd doubt that) or is throwing you under the bus for her mistake (or problem... perhaps she diverted those last 5 mg...) If you didn;t even handle the syringe, then you should have nothing to worry about. By the way - can nursing students waste narcs? I can't remember. When i worked on a unit we had to waste through the pyxis so you needed employees of the floor to waste a med.

[Agnes Anne]

By the way - can nursing students waste narcs? I can't remember. When i worked on a unit we had to waste through the pyxis so you needed employees of the floor to waste a med.

I was thinking the same. At our facility we need two RNS to waste. The instructor would need to have another RN witness and sign for the waste either electronically through Pyxis or on our Schedule II accountabilty sheets.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Hospital policy should state clearly how narcotics are to be wasted. In the 4 places in which I worked, students did not waste narcs. It took two LICENSED personnel to do so.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Hospital policy should state clearly how narcotics are to be wasted. In the 4 places in which I worked, students did not waste narcs. It took two LICENSED personnel to do so.

Heck, every place I've been I couldn't even touch a PCA as an LPN, let alone a student.

Do you have any witnesses?

[LesMonsterRN, ADN, RN]

Be calm, write a thorough statement about the event and then go see the program director, ASAP.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Hospital policy should state clearly how narcotics are to be wasted. In the 4 places in which I worked, students did not waste narcs. It took two LICENSED personnel to do so.

It could have been like my floor though. Nurse's get lax, one will waste (without a witness) and then ask another nurse to sign the log. Hypothetically, there may not have been a witness.