Might get kicked out of program...

[qteebug]

I have a very big concern. I have recently received a clinical unsatisfactory due to me leaving prepared medication on a medicine cart. I had originally prepared the medication (mixed pills in applesauce) and attempted to administer it to my assigned patient who was unresponsive and refused. I then asked another nurse to help me administer about 1/3 of the medication but that's all my patient would take. I then went to the medicine cart with my remaining medication and there were 4 other nursing students hanging around the cart and the clinical instructor was not present. I asked all of them their opinion on what I should do with the remaining medication and one person said to just throw it away. I wanted to be sure I was doing the right thing so I set the medication down on the cart right in front of the other students and said I was going to look for the clinical instructor to see what I should do. It was during this time that one of the working nurses came and asked who's patent the medicine belonged to and the other students said it was mine which resulted in the nurse not being too happy and reporting it to my instructor. I know, in hindsight, that I should have taken the medicine with me regardless of who was standing around the medicine cart. But is it justified for me to be kicked out of the whole nursing program and have to start again all over? I have an 88 in the class. Be honest, I can handle constructive criticism.

[qteebug]

I am the epitome of zen.

Sorry if you felt like I was attacking you - definitely not the case.

People that are the epitome of zen don't feel the need to state that they are the epitome of zen. Fyi

[Wiggly Litchi]

People that are the epitome of zen don't feel the need to state that they are the epitome of zen. Fyi

*Unless they're being told to relax by someone who is bent on attacking them, like now.

Maybe you should eat a peep :)

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Okay guys....everyone lets get back to posting within the terms of service, to which everyone agrees to when they join.

Thanks.

[englishgarden]

Wow, this thread really got off track! All I can say is that I hope you learned from your mistakes and were able to continue in your nursing program. I've been a nurse for many years and crushing up meds and having someone with dementia refuse them stumps the best of us and occasionally we all toss a nitropaste wrapper and forget to scan it.

You have recognized that problems at home seep into your performance at the bedside and that is a valuable insight. Hang in there, I was a single mom age 29 and living with my mother when I graduated in 1991. Nursing has been a rewarding career and opened many doors for me. Your confidence will increase with time and experience.

[kkbb, MSN, RN]

Maybe I missed this part, but were you administering medications without your nurse or clinical instructor there with you? Perhaps it is different with other schools, but at my school that was a big no-no. That would have been grounds for dismissal for us.

[babychickens]

I am a great student but my instructors have realized that I "get ahead of myself" when on the floor. They suggested I used a 3x5 note card for med pass. That way I never forget to scan, etc. I don't know about your program, but we are on the floor once a week so it's hard to build habits that way. Once I'm working I'm sure it'll be second nature. But until then I can avoid med errors. And yes, leave your problems at the door or it will hinder you forever. Good luck.