What new nurses see in experienced nurses that would flunk them in Clincal Roatations

[ricksy]

I am a new nurse working LTC. I haven't really mastered all of the paperwork and the flow of it, and sometimes I feel inadequate. Then, I notice the things my experienced co-workers do that make me feel better. I seem to notice things they do that would have made me flunk clinical rotations for sure! It does not mean I am good and they are bad, it just means that I am not as horrible as I make my own self out to be. I notice "they" don't check the dates on insulin and get outdated solutions. They document ahead of time on passed meds. They sometimes pass meds and forget to make sure the resident swallowed them...as I find the med still in the mouth. A lot of the experienced ones also don't seem to want to take the extra time it takes to get Blood Glucose readings on a MRDD patient who hits and slaps, and therefore mark it as "undone"....where I try multiple times because I know the reading for her can go into the high 400s. I still do the 3checks and 5 rights, but when I watch them, well, you know.... There are a lot of good advantages to being a cautious new nurse! YAY US!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Once you graduate and pass the NCLEX, you (general) work under your own nursing license: you have no clinical instructor or precepting nurse to answer to. Now, whether you still choose to play by the rules and do things properly, or whether you would rather take shortcuts or do other risky behaviors...that's entirely your decision.

However, remember that you WILL be held accountable for your actions by your employer and/or your BON. So you need to decide for yourself if shortcuts and sloppy/inappropriate behaviors are a risk worth taking...because excuses don't fly far in the real world.

No nurse is 100% perfect, and even the best nurse may find themselves cutting a corner or two at times, or not using their best nursing judgment about something. But there's a difference between the occasional incident and making that behavior their standard of practice.

You have the right attitude about being cautious and always trying to do things right--I hope you keep it for a long time :)

[surferbettycrocker]

i agree with always checkin the 5 (or 6 ) rights . i truly hope that when its the elevenhundreth time you are slapped by the MRDD( as u referred) during the tenhundreth shift in a row you are working short with nary a supply you need in sight and and an available helpful co-worked that is just as aloof that u still maintain the same level of committment and integrity to your job :nurse:duties cuzz it can be tough to do that sometimes after a long time in this profession no matter hospital, LTC or home health. dont flame me im just saying. kudos to you and go forth and prosper new nurse!:poop: