Will it always be the crazy?

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I've been graduated from LPN school for one year, Been working private duty with one peds patient since I got my license. I'm not gonna even say I'm a new nurse because after today I sure don't feel like a nurse at all.....This was my 3rd day alone off orientation. 1st day on this floor alone, with only 1 day orientation on this floor. 26 pt's, and this is no joke, each one of them but maybe 2 have at least 10 meds each. most have more, seriously. 16 b/p checks during first med pass. Only have 3 accu-checks with insulin. and around 10 neb tx. I don't know these residents. So needless to say meds were administered late, insulin given late, neb tx given late. had 4 pt left, rooms opposite each other, same first name, both in A bed. and what do i do? give wrong meds to wrong pt. I lost it. On the verge of a total nervous breakdown. Supervisor came, checked meds, called Dr, seriously tried everything she could to calm me down, had another nurse that is used to working that floor come help me get caught up. They both were so calm, told me to calm down, and take a break. my first two days was no where near as crazy as this hall is. I didnt get wrote up, taken to the office, nothing. according to them, med errors happen and its not the first time this has happend with these two patients.. thats where i got confused. if its happend D/T names and close rooms and same bed location, why has it not been changed?? Guess i just need to vent.. Sorry its so long..

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Specializes in retired LTC.

It wasn't the 2 residents' fault that the error occurred - back to the 5 rights. Not to be smug; but I've had errors too, so I truly know how you feel.

Re: rooms. In LTC, those rooms are the residents' HOMES and they may have been there for years and years. It's just NOT that easy to move pts or do room changes for the convenience of staff. You need to check the Patients' Bill of Rights. It'd be like the Post Office forcing you to move out of your house just because you and your next-door neighbor have the same last names (no relation, just coincidence)!!! And your facility probably has a policy about room changes too.

Every time we get an admission that's close to someone else, we tag the charts and other documents (esp lab and pharmacy things) with pre-printed NAME-ALERT labels that come on a roll from a catalog. Maybe your facility could purchase them as part of the plan of correction.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Thinking about those labels we used --- maybe some talented computer person where you work could make some up. I know they used to sell blank labels at Staples/Office Depot type stores.

In big red ink --- NAME ALERT! NAME ALERT! Ask your nsg mgt.

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Specializes in LTC.

Take deep breath and try not to beat yourself up too much. Sounds like you are new to the LTC and it will take time to get a good routine down. What works for me is a good report/cheat sheet. I use it to write down what I am told in report, what I want to pass on in report, who has vitals on my shift, who needs their BP/HR checked before meds, all my bloodsugars and neb tx. I try to start my day off by getting the vitals done and out of the way. Then the first round of neb tx , followed by the bloodsugars. Always before giving the meds, I double check the MAR and double check to make sure if I have the right person. Sometimes, I had to ask one of the aides, just to be sure. ALways ask for help and ask questions. Get a good cheat sheet and routine, and you will do fine.

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Second day on floor wasn't as bad. I'm not sure that this will be a place that I can work at. I wanted experience and to learn the think critically. I have seen things here that has totally shocked me and made me think "that is not the kind of nurse I wanna be". I'm new here but at the end of the shift when i say "crap, I forgot to give so and so their last neb tx" and the response i get is "don't worry about it, they havent been getting them anyway" makes me wonder if this is the place i need to be working at. This pt has a URI, the neb tx is kinda important I would think. I've had nurses tell me their idea of shortcuts, but in my opinion, not doing a neb tx or doing a b/p before admin a b/p med isn't a shortcut. So, I guess I understand now why no one seemed upset about the med error.

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Yes, it probably will continue to seem crazy...so it goes.

Keep your sense of humor, it will get you over the rough spots.

My favorite response on a new unit, when I'm trying to ID the correct resident is from another nurse or aid that answer my question of which one is so-and-so is "She's the little older lady with white hair in the wheel chair." you know that just discribed all the female residents, my response is "Thank you for clarifying that for me." stated sarcastically of course.

Luck to you

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

It does get better and we've all made mistakes. You just have to hope the mistakes you make don't cause harm. There is no need to take a blood pressure before every blood pressure med is given. People who live at home don't so why should we?

Take your time and develope your own rhythm.

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