orientating nurse doing med pass

[Ms.RN]

if you are orientating a new nurse, do you let her do her own med pass? i was orientating a new nurse for the midnight shift and we are responsible for two units. she stayed in the another unit doing treatment. i finished my med pass in another unit and went to her unit to ask her whether or not she is comfortable with passing med. but when i went there, she was already started med pass. how would you react if this happens ?

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Are they a new grad or experienced nurse?

[Ms.RN]

are they a new grad or experienced nurse?

she is new to long term care. but other than that she is experienced nurse in hospital setting.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I would want to be with her the first few times to make sure policy and procedure was followed.

[floatRN]

I think the preceptor should supervise the first couple med passes even with an experienced nurse. That's the only way you can feel confident signing her off on that skill. Also, even an experienced nurse could make a mistake if she is in a new facility. Someone unfamiliar with the MARS and the routines could make a mistake even if they are a very good nurse.

[Miami NightNurse]

I'd be glad that she took the initiative to do something in my abscence since she is experienced.

[Ms.RN]

i think the preceptor should supervise the first couple med passes even with an experienced nurse. that's the only way you can feel confident signing her off on that skill. also, even an experienced nurse could make a mistake if she is in a new facility. someone unfamiliar with the mars and the routines could make a mistake even if they are a very good nurse.

i asked her if she felt comfortable with med pass and she answered yes she is comfortable and yes she can pass medication. that statement kinda upset me and after that i did rest of the med pass. do you think i over reacted? do you think i should talk to someone about this?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I've oriented several nurses during my time of working in nursing homes, and I'm usually glad when they jump in there as soon as possible to carry out tasks such as the med pass, treatments, and so forth. As long as they are asking questions along the way, I'm fine with the orientees who do as much as possible and as early as possible.

A smart LTC orientee is fully aware that they will have to function maximally and independently within a few days.

Let's face it. Nursing homes do not typically offer lengthy preceptorships, so the orientee must jump in there and learn as much as possible in a short time frame.

[nightmare, RN]

Confidence is good,as long as it's experienced confidence and not over confidence.That can lead to mistakes. I like to supervise at least once.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

I think it is okay. I would just make sure she knows the rules of med pass in LTC. It would be nice to do a day of shadowing during the med pass just to give them info on each resident as you go. Lets face it, though...rarely does this happen.

[eccentricRN]

I worked as a nurse extern @ a LTC this summer before I graduated. My facility had me watch one med pass on either side & then I was watched one time on either side, we only had 2 halls. After that I was on my own. I would expect to be watched @ least one time so that they know I'm capable before leaving me to it. However, I now work @ a hospital & my preceptor sorta let me fly on my own as a new grad....of course, I do ask ALOT of questions & maybe that's why she figured I'd be safe.

I would trust your gut & do what you need to do to make yourself & your residents safe.