Med Pass for 52 patients? HELP

[hollyspiller0253]

Hey everyone.

I accepted a job at an assisted living location. FT 3-11. There are approximatly 96 patients.

It is my third day today. I was almost in tears yesterday because the "preceptor" (and I use that term loosely) wouldn't get off my ass. Then I found out from night shift that she doesn't do any treatments, and that is why she finishes so quickly.

I work with a med tech and there are 2 teams of patients. The med tech passes the other team.

My 5pm pass isn't as bad (maybe 20 pts.), and almost everyone is in the dining room. The 8pm is the problem. Essentially everyone gets meds. 1 nurse passing meds on 52 patients.

We pop in the med room, label, then pass.

I need some tips and tricks on that 8pm pass. It really isn't even the pass, it is the preparation of the meds that is killing me.

Not to mention, I have to give all insulins and perform all finger sticks. All the orders, pharmacy deliveries, admits/discharges, 3 logs for narcs. Ect.

Any tips on getting all those 8's popped?

I'm drowning here, not to mention, I don't have a set preceptor. Every day is someone new.

Ugh. Help me please.

Thanks!

~Holly

[Whit2389]

I. Going through the same thing. I struggle with the 6pm-6am shift, but the only difficult part is the 8pm med pass. Like you, I am responsible for all the things you listed. I have a different "preceptor" every time I train. I only trained for 4 days before they tossed me out on my own. I told them I needed one more day of training and I requested to train with one of my favorite nurses there. I asked her if she would teach me a "real world" med pass and show me the tricks of the trade instead of going by the book so that I am not drowning. My first 8pm med pass wasn't done until after 1am. If she passes me on any great tips tomorrow then I will share them with you. Good luck and I really truly feel your pain! (By the way on the 6pm-6am shift I am the only nurse and no med techs, anywhere from 40-55 patients and about 10 scheduled mess each, plus prns, breathing tx, finger sticks, blood sugars, and gtubes).

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Where I work we take the carts with us from door to door as we pop and pass the meds. No running back and forth to the medication room. we have everyone's meds by time in one drawer, all the otcs in another, and a double locked drawer for controls. The most I've passed so far is 32. We don't do treatments on 3-11 unless a dressing becomes obviously soiled or dislodged.

hppy