Narc count

[dubspot]

I am a 8 month old new RN. I have a question about the "narc count". I work at a nursing home/rehab center. I usually work the 7-3 shift, and 9 times out of 10 the 3-11 nurse is always 15-20 minutes late. This is one particular nurse that is always late, and she typically works on the same days that I do. Giving her report plus counting the narcs usually take 20+ minutes. At 3:15 I gave up waiting for this particular nurse, so the other RN on the same shift and myself completed the narc count as we were waiting for the incoming nurse. I got a call the day after this event saying that I may get a written warning for counting with a day shift nurse instead of the incoming nurse. my question is, if the narc count was correct, no meds were missing, and the incoming nurse SIGNED the narc log saying that she counted with me.. can i really be written up for this?

[dubspot]

Before the don wanted to write me up, The day shift nurse that counted with me gave a written statement saying that she did count with me. I should have been more specific in my question. What I meant was do you have to sign with the 3-11 nurse or 7-3 nurse on your shift

[amygarside]

Try to communicate with that tardy nurse. It might also help.

[Sunflowerinsc, ADN, RN]

If the one day shift nurse is going to leave before the 3-11 shift nurse arrives, yes she needs to count with you. But when the 3-11 nurse comes ,the person whom your are turning the keys over to , has to count with you. She made a error by signing when she didn't count.

[Sunflowerinsc, ADN, RN]

Not to change directions here but, I'm surprised so many comments on hand counts the narcs ,it's been years since I've counted. Thank goodness for Accudose or Pyxis.

[Gabby-RN]

Before the don wanted to write me up The day shift nurse that counted with me gave a written statement saying that she did count with me. I should have been more specific in my question. What I meant was do you have to sign with the 3-11 nurse or 7-3 nurse on your shift[/quote']

You have to sign with the person you counted with. I don't know what your facilities rules are as far as who you need to do the narc count with but I know that regardless, never sign your name to a narc count that you did not do.

Where I used to work we had to count the narcs in the pyxis with the next shift, some nurses would say "just give me your finger (as in to use my finger print to sign in) and I will count". No way. If something turns up missing I don't want to be investigated for diversion and saying I just gave my fingerprint and was not there wont hold up.

My guess is that your job wants to make sure you understand how serious narcotic counts are.

[heron, ASN, RN]

OP, consider this: in my state, at least, a facility can lose its license to stock narcotic meds as a result of sloppy inventory control. I often count with an outgoing nurse leaving early and then re-count with the nurse coming in to cover - sometimes it's only ten minutes, but for that time I'm responsible for an accurate inventory until I physically turn over the keys to the next person. That is why I insist on counting with whomever is giving or receiving the keys ... it's like a chain of custody thing. Don't blow it off as meaningless paperwork - there's too much at stake.