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I love your post. Such a typical med pass - when I'm finally done with the med pass and all the issues (assuming no one has fell - oh well there's always some kind of A&I to be done for sure) then contact the doc with all the current issues and orders of course. I sit down to finally chart and do orders - then, the family's line up with their issues (or non-issues) and resident's enter the line as well "I need my medication" (the one they already received and asked for 6x) - oh gosh, must be pleasant and accomodating to all needs - BUT make sure you punch out on time and finish all your paperwork!... Thanks - it's nice to see I'm not alone!

I use the report sheet (with the pts names) as I go through the med pass. I use a colored highlighter to check off each pt. as I give meds in the am. Then during the am med pass I write down next to the name the times of the next med (12, 1, 2 etc). In the afternoon, I cross of the time as I give them - it helps at the end of shift to double check that everything has been checked off in the mar. I also make sure to get the info in report as to how the pt. takes the meds (crush etc) Get everything you need on the med cart, applesauce, drinks, iv supplies, neb tx, insulin needles, etc. the less you have to go back to the med room, etc the better. Sometimes I bring the pharmacy reorder form too so if I am out of something I can just write the order at the cart. I also make a list of the tx, with a check off and put it on the report sheet before I head out for the med pass. If I you get bogged down with families or pts wanting to talk, simply tell them you are mandated by the state to get meds out in time, you can talk later. Good luck!

I am a new nurse in LTC. I am going to make kind journal just to note something that happened on my shift a few days ago... just in case I am asked about it some day in the future, since I have read from other nurses that its a good thing to do. Anyway, it got me thinking about journals... do some nurses make a personal journal of every shift or just CYA stuff?

I too am starting my first job (in LTC) in a few days. I finished school almost 1 year ago... so I know what you mean about feeling a little rusty. I am terrified and excited. When I feel terrified, I think of all the other students I went to school with and all many of the nurses I've met at clinicals, etc - hey, if they can do it, so can I - and so can you! No one ever started as a nurse knowing everything...