RN of 12 years passing meds in nursing home? S L O W..

caliotter3 · Mar 25, 2011

You know how badly you need this job so make yourself determined to do your very best. Surely there have to be some ways that you will be able to see to make it easier and faster. Be sure to seek guidance from the other nurses. They may have many pointers that are specific to the residents involved.

Asystole RN · Mar 25, 2011

LTC med passes are notoriously large and require a different set of skills from any other form of nursing. The secret to a large med pass is being organized and not wasting time on any one patient.

When I worked the cart I had a system of passing meds. Priority #1 were the mobile patients who would leave their rooms, I would always pass their meds first or ensure I get them when they pass down the hall. I would then pass meds to any PEG or G tube patients, their med passes tend to be fast. I would then target all the non accucheck patients. Lastly I would get everyone's accuchecks and then return to the patient with the meds and the insulin at the same time, that way reducing a trip to their room.

Now this method does not work for everyone, some people simply go room to room. I have found that the structure of the facility, the type of patients, and the shift working really makes a difference on how the med pass is done. What is imperative is that you make notes and tailor your med pass to the current conditions. It may take weeks before you find the best system of passing meds.

I highly suggest you shadow a nurse at the facility for the shift you are applying for before accepting the job, I have found most employers are agreeable to this.

juliusmyn · Mar 25, 2011

LTC med passing is quiet a riot during initiation days as you learn your patients and their habits. Slow but sure that your not doing med errors is better that quick with missed or forgotten meds/treatment. Ambulating residents are best given there meds first to prevent going back twice. I would also asked my coworker who to give meds first and who to do last (but also make sure that coworker knows what she is doing :)). As you say, you need this job... the more you do it, practive makes it easy.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2011

Once you know your residents and how they take their meds, it will be easier and faster. My med pass for 30 takes about 1hr and 45 min. We only have 4 people who are able to take their own meds. The rest require crushed and supervision. Basically, you don't have much time to spend with them. I try to ensure that I have all the supplies I need on my cart. The people I know fall asleep early and are difficult to wake up get their meds first. And as long as no one gets sick during the med pass, it goes fairly smooth now.

Chin up · Mar 25, 2011

Believe me, once you get to know the residents and the med schedule, it becomes a breeze. At first, you will be very slow and after reading your put downs on yourself, over 40 and slow, you will be even more hard on yourself, once you find, "you really are slow". Everyone is slow at first when they start with new residents, new facility and schedule. Some experienced "med passers" are slow on a new floor in their own own facility. So, give yourself plenty of time, ( a month) to get the hang of it. Passing meds is a task, anyone can learn it and become good at it. I hate it, but did it for sooooo many years, others love it because there is no stress to it. It becomes almost mindless and that is where many folks want to be. But, if you are passing meds and running the floor, it can be a stressful headache do to lack of time. In ths economy, with lack of jobs, be glad you have this opportunity. It may not be your ideal, but it is a needed function of LTC, it pays well and once you get the hang of it, stress free. Good luck!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 25, 2011

no matter where you work you will have an adjustment to make in time management and setting priorities. I say go for it.

new_worker · Mar 25, 2011

Believe me, once you get to know the residents and the med schedule, it becomes a breeze. At first, you will be very slow and after reading your put downs on yourself, over 40 and slow, you will be even more hard on yourself, once you find, "you really are slow". Everyone is slow at first when they start with new residents, new facility and schedule. Some experienced "med passers" are slow on a new floor in their own own facility. So, give yourself plenty of time, ( a month) to get the hang of it. Passing meds is a task, anyone can learn it and become good at it. I hate it, but did it for sooooo many years, others love it because there is no stress to it. It becomes almost mindless and that is where many folks want to be. But, if you are passing meds and running the floor, it can be a stressful headache do to lack of time. In ths economy, with lack of jobs, be glad you have this opportunity. It may not be your ideal, but it is a needed function of LTC, it pays well and once you get the hang of it, stress free. Good luck!

:up: just what i was going to say.. when i was in clinical passing meds to 40 residents it was crazy knowing everyone names. but after a couple days you know everyone and start to know where their meds are in the med cart so you don't have to look through the whole thing... after some time you will be going stright to the meds knowing everything it just takes time. Good Luck

steelcityrn, RN · Mar 25, 2011

Once you learn the residents and form a pattern that fits you for passing the meds, you should be able to do it just fine. Travel nurses do it all the time, and they do not get a chance to learn at a slower pace. You must organize your cart, learn the cart well. Keep plenty of spoons, pudding ect...In other words you keep eveything handy that you could possibly need. One task that adds up in time is the locking and unlocking of the cart, as you can never walk away from an open cart.

egglady, LPN · Mar 25, 2011

I am over 40, and I do this every day! The best advice I give anyone starting is time management. Make a master list and have on it how they take there meds, times, any vital signs, blood sugars, anything that will help you organize! I have been working the same wing for over 4 years, and still use my "brain sheet" everyday! Believe it or not- things change daily in LTC. It isnt the same everyday! You should do fine- just dont get real worked up, and do your best! Good luck to you!

samirish · Mar 25, 2011

I say take the job. Even if your slow, you will probably gain speed once you become familiar with it and start doing it every day. Good luck :)

rnlately · Mar 25, 2011

I was S L O W when I started in LTC 4 yrs ago. Like someone else stated before; start with the walkie talkies; there are always a few that camp out around the nurses station close to med time. Take advantage of this opportunity. For me that was about meds for 5-6 residents knocked out really quickly. Either obtain BS before med pass and in order to prepare insulins to pass with meds or pass meds to the diabetics last so that you have time to obtain BS. My shift started at 1900 so as much as possible I'd try to obtain the BS at 2000; I usually had about 3-4 diabetics on my hall(s) and all had Levemir/Lantus in addition to sliding scale. Have a cheat sheet of pt's that require crushed meds and make sure you know ahead of time if they prefer pudding or applesauce; saves you from having to run all over the building at the last minute. If you have pt's that have nutrition drinks ordered; stock your cart with various flavors until you figure out who likes what. You will quickly develop a feasible routine. By the time I left LTC I was able to pass meds accurately and efficiently to 22 residents in a little over an hour and a half; as long as no emergencies arise. It takes practice.