new to agency nursing and having troubles

[~magnolia~]

hi everyone!

I was hoping some of you can help me. I am new to agency nursing and have about 1 year of nursing experience mostly longterm care. I am questioning myself a lot lately as I do not work with regular nurses as before and am afraid of trusting others like when I am told not to report a medication error. In the past if there are extra pills remaining after the course of antibiotic treatment, the nursing team I was working with would assume that  some wheren't given (forgotten) and continue administering until finished. We had great communication  but I am so scared of telling the wrong nurse to do this and maybe it coming back and biting me. 

I don't know what to do in this situation or similar situations regarding medications such as if a client was put on 2 weeks trial for scheduled tylenol for pain and there were pills left. I mean if he misses a dose or 2 its not the end of the world and the pain can be managed with prns but at the same time this is still technically a med error. I don't want to cause a fuss but at the same time I don't want to put my liscence on the line. I am beginning to understand that agency nursing is a tricky balance of pleasing employers but also standing up for what is important and defending good  nursing practices. Is this something I should just look the other way? Also, if there are any other general tips that you can give me to help me succeed in agency nursing I would really appreaciate it. 

 

[Emergent, RN]

First of all, your license will not be on the line because of the things you mention.

Remember, you are a guest in the facility where you are an agency nurse. You are not there to fix all their problems, but to fill gaps in Staffing.

If you see pills left over, I assume you are talking about one of those medicine cards, if I were you I would inform the charge nurse, ask for guidance, and then chart that you did that.

You definitely might see some things that you disapprove of. Every facility has a different culture, some of which might not be top rate.

Just do your best.

 

 

 

 

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

As Emergent mentioned, your position is filling in gaps in staffing. It's admirable that you feel a sense of responsibility for addressing issues you see that may indicate a problem, but that's probably beyond what you can influence in your time. Also, trying to just get along with coworkers while you're there is likely to work better for you than pointing out things you see as "errors", they may not appreciate someone from the outside, who is likely getting paid more as an agency nurse, showing them they are wrong. You aren't doing anything wrong, so you will fine either way. Good luck!