Narcotic count

[newrn776]

I am a new grad that just started working at a LTC facility and love the job. I was doing the narcotic count with the 3-11 nurse (I work 11-7). We got to a patients Xanax and the count was down by one. The nurse realized that she had accidently given the patient two Xanax instead of one Xanax and another med and had me co-sign saying that we wasted the other Xanax. Is this okay? I'm having terrible anxiety over it and I am afraid I will be questioned about it even though it looks fine by the book. I new advice and reassurance!!

[Sadala, ADN, RN]

I'm wondering if you are having an issue with saying, "no," to other people. I'm guessing that you would have preferred not to have signed off on a pill that you didn't see wasted, but for some reason didn't feel able to assert yourself (could be wrong, but that's kind of how I read it). Maybe it's difficult because you're new? I don't know. But other situations will come up where you are going to have to be vocal about what you will and won't do, or where you are going to have to assert your opinion. Maybe you can practice ahead of time how you will handle it or what you will say.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Lesson learned. Also definitely don't trust this nurse. Sounds like a diversion tactic to me. It's tough especially when you are starting out. If you ever have a doubt, stop for a second and think things through.