I'm a new grad RN waiting to take the NCLEX. I'm also an LPN/VN.
I was fortunate to land a job as an LVN/LPN immediately after I graduated. I needed to get back to work, majorly!! VintageMama has bills to pay.
This facility has a lot of problems and the state surveyors have been here a lot r/t resident deaths, etc.
Okay, I won't get into complaining about the lack of working equipment and the fact that the electronic mar has meds scheduled for 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11:30, 12, 1300, 1400 etc. that makes it difficult, to say the least.
Let's just ask for tips on speeding up my med pass! I'm almost always late, and I've told my supervisors. They said it's fine, they like my work and know I'll get quicker, soon. (I've been working ~3 weeks)
But I hate being so behind with everything.
Ok. I'll complain a little bit more: other nurses finish quicker because the enter in fake V/S. And fake blood sugars. (They admit as much)
I feel like I'll never get up to speed!
Advice?!
PS I want to try to tough it out because the schedule and pay are pretty awesome!
Have a team huddle before your shift. Pass out a marker and cheap notepad to each CNA.
Then tell them, "I'm still building my med pass speed and really need to minimize interruptions at all possible. Feel free to come get me for changes in condition, bleeding, Etc. otherwise you can leave a note on my med cart and I'll attend to it asap."
1. Stop comparing yourself to other nurses and how fast they are. It is not a measure of how good a nurse that you are. I was never faster than other nurses, even after 2 years. I was always working right up until 11 pm, while they were sitting at the nurses station on Facebook. I took comfort that when i went home, I knew that I didn't fake VS and BS and yes I believe you when you say that is happening. I gave all meds that were scheduled and asked residents about their pain regarding prn meds.
2. Try to get organized even if you are eager to start passing meds! Before you start your med pass, see what treatments you will be giving, who has Foleys that need to be monitored, who needs vitals and accucheks, etc. I liked to start at one end of the hallway and work my way down room by room, I would skip residents who weren't in the room and then try to catch them later.
vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN
2,717 Posts
Thank you all for your replies on saving time!!! I'll definitely refer to them!!
Love AllNurses!!!