Hi,
I'm a recent grad with little nursing experience. Graduated in May 2009, worked at a rest home for 4 weeks and a summer camp for 2 weeks. Both places dispensed medications not according to the rules, i.e., pre-packed meds. In both settings, I did not feel this was dangerous, and at the rest home I certainly thought it was the only safe way to dispense meds to so many people. (I'm not arguing with the legitimacy of it pre-packing, just stating my opinion about the safety in these two settings.)
A classmate of mine was recently fired from a new job (at a residential program for very troubled adolescents) after 2 hours because she questioned the fact that the nurse she was following pre-packed and then signed the MAR before giving the medication.
So, I'm just wondering how many nurses don't follow the rules in this regard? Coming across this kind of non-compliance is a big shock for those of us new grads who have had it drilled into our heads that you dispense medications to one patient at a time, sign the MAR when the medication is given, and you never, ever pre-pack. It seems like there are rules for ideal situations and rules for real life.
I liked the summer camp I worked at and hope to return next year. The kids are all healthy, even if they have to maintain their health with regular medication. I'm thinking about the medication administration method used at the camp and wondering if I will try to change it next year, if I go back.
Any thoughts, comments, opinions welcome.