Ok as I have stated before I am a new nurse graduated in Dec.08, just passed state boards Apr. 3. So I've been working at a LTC facility since a week after graduation. I feel as though I am still in "school mode", and though I complained about some of the things I was taught in school I honestly feel as though I am still doing my med pass, and skills the way I was taught in school. Not to say that the way I was taught was perfect! Working with nurses that have been working there longer than I and have longer experience than I do. I have noticed what they do when they are passing meds, and some nurses have actually told me that I should do this to save on time! I work 3-11, and when they are doing their 3 O'clock med pass they double up there meds on just about each patient except the one's who have to get hs chemsticks & Lantus insulin & coverage if necessary. So at 1600 they are also giving 1900, 2000, & 2100 meds. Now I do my med pass the right way (not saying perfect but I give meds when they are due) My evening med pass since I have all my resident's to do who get hs meds normally takes me about an hour as does the 1600 med pass. When I get back to the nurses station and I get questioned ' what took you so long, you should start giving some of your hs meds earlier" Now I just think this is so unfair to the resident's who are relying on us to take care of them. I highly doubt because I work with these nurses all the time that they even check to see if there are any drug interactions or anything. Does anyone think I am overacting? Do you see any of this going on at your job? I hope that I don't turn out to be a nurse like this as the years go on, just to get my med pass done in 15 minutes so that I can sit at the nurses station and talk about everyone & their mother. There is a reason why I went to school to be a nurse because I am compassionate, and I love taking care of people, not to do them further harm only to convenience myself. I would love to hear your comments on this, thanks!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
It is really hard for me to say whether you should be afraid or not...you gotta be in it to win it. There will be plenty of bumps, but at least you can vent with us! But, there are many inconsistent policies that are not nurse friendly. One gets really tired of battling all of them. I never worked in a nursing home as a nurse, so, I can only hope that it is true that the physicians will change their orders to accomodate their patients. It didn't seem to be so in the place I worked at as a CNA, but of course, since I was not a licensed person at that time, I can't say for sure.
i have known nurses who gave all their meds on one pass...that included restorils etc...thus they were caught and fired...however...there are some meds that are timed ridiculously...like....if someone gets an oscal tid....why would you give that at 9 or 10 pm??? to me thats crazy ....when i have gotten those kind on my mar...i usually just change the time unless it specifically says 8 hrs or whatever. and i never ever time a med for say...7am , 3pm or 11pm b/c that is our shift change times and its impossible to do. now...other nurses will do that in a heartbeat...i had a pt who was ordered peg tube flushes 6 x day...well duh...thats q 4 hrs but they had it timed for it to be done 3 times on my shift which is 3 to 11..i changed those times to where it was 2 on each shift. that wouldve been way too much water in a tube in one given shift. talk about overload! i have one now who is supposed to get an ativan at 10 pm....theres no way ill ever wake that pt up at that time of night to give her an ativan...i circle it every single night and chart on the mar that i held it b/c she was quiet w/ eyes closed...shes a very agitated pt and when she is asleep...you dont mess w/ her . plus...she doesnt need it if shes asleep.
Ok as I have stated before I am a new nurse graduated in Dec.08, just passed state boards Apr. 3. So I've been working at a LTC facility since a week after graduation. I feel as though I am still in "school mode", and though I complained about some of the things I was taught in school I honestly feel as though I am still doing my med pass, and skills the way I was taught in school. Not to say that the way I was taught was perfect! Working with nurses that have been working there longer than I and have longer experience than I do. I have noticed what they do when they are passing meds, and some nurses have actually told me that I should do this to save on time! I work 3-11, and when they are doing their 3 O'clock med pass they double up there meds on just about each patient except the one's who have to get hs chemsticks & Lantus insulin & coverage if necessary. So at 1600 they are also giving 1900, 2000, & 2100 meds. Now I do my med pass the right way (not saying perfect but I give meds when they are due) My evening med pass since I have all my resident's to do who get hs meds normally takes me about an hour as does the 1600 med pass. When I get back to the nurses station and I get questioned ' what took you so long, you should start giving some of your hs meds earlier" Now I just think this is so unfair to the resident's who are relying on us to take care of them. I highly doubt because I work with these nurses all the time that they even check to see if there are any drug interactions or anything. Does anyone think I am overacting? Do you see any of this going on at your job? I hope that I don't turn out to be a nurse like this as the years go on, just to get my med pass done in 15 minutes so that I can sit at the nurses station and talk about everyone & their mother. There is a reason why I went to school to be a nurse because I am compassionate, and I love taking care of people, not to do them further harm only to convenience myself. I would love to hear your comments on this, thanks!
Remember in school your instructor used to say "there is the book way and there is the real world way" Welcome to the real world.
pagandeva2000, LPN
7,984 Posts
It is really hard for me to say whether you should be afraid or not...you gotta be in it to win it. There will be plenty of bumps, but at least you can vent with us!
But, there are many inconsistent policies that are not nurse friendly. One gets really tired of battling all of them. I never worked in a nursing home as a nurse, so, I can only hope that it is true that the physicians will change their orders to accomodate their patients. It didn't seem to be so in the place I worked at as a CNA, but of course, since I was not a licensed person at that time, I can't say for sure.