Will it always be the crazy?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.