Hello fellow nurses. I have something to get off my chest, and I cannot discuss this with coworkers so I sought out all of your opinions. FYI: I am a new grad RN, currently working in LTC for about 7 months.
A few months ago, during a med pass at 5 pm (supper), I left a pill in the pill cup next to a resident who normally will take the pill, if not, the aide will help her take it (it was senokot). When I left it there, I acknowledged to the resident that I am leaving a pill beside her and would like her to take it. A family member of another resident sitting at the same table, saw this and commented "She won't remember to take that," in a very rude manner. In response to her hostile personality, I was firm and told her "She usually does take the pill, if she does not, I will follow up and be back to make sure she does". I left saying this and administered pills to the other residents at this time. I came back to the same table while giving a pill to another resident sitting on the same table as this family member and the original person I left the pill beside, I asked the aide "did A.I. take the pill?". The aide responded and said yes. I then proceeded to administer the crushed pills to another resident while waiting for her to finish IN FRONT OF this family member.
This family member then went to my director and reported me for inappropriate medication administration. I was written up for something that did not even result in harm or distress for a resident. I was disciplined for "leaving a medication beside a resident that has dementia," instead of waiting 5 minutes to help her take it, I proceeded to admin meds to the other 30 residents before time runs out.
I honestly feel like this is unfair. Also, my director was very strict and had a look of no mercy when telling me that this is just "unacceptable practice". Also, the family member who reported me has a history of issues with many co-workers, and the management team knows that.
So, tell me, give me your honest feedback. Would you write me up for this? I feel a sense of indignation towards my director.
Every once in a while in the ED or tele I might have 4 or 5 patients, usually though I only have two. I can't really imagine passing meds on 30 or more patients (although I'm not really sure how patients who require medication administration rather than medication assistance count as just "assisted living"). So while I'm well aware of the rule and wouldn't skirt the rule in my own working routine, I have a hard time being judgmental of someone in a much more challenging environment for ideal med administration rules, particularly when we're talking about something that in practical terms is about the same as leaving a glass of prune juice unsupervised.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Why make a post/account & not come reply? Especially one asking a question. Seems kinda rude.
Yes, but at least (I hope) OP has read the replies.
You do know that if you click a user's name it'll take you to their About page, which has date and time of last activity, right? Or am I just a stalker when I look at that info?
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Yes, but at least (I hope) OP has read the replies.
You do know that if you click a user's name it'll take you to their About page, which has date and time of last activity, right? Or am I just a stalker when I look at that info?
I'm on the app so it doesn't show all of that good stuff.
IF you have CNA's who are also certified medication aides, that is one thing. Many LTC facilities do.
You can not discuss one person with another...meaning the "she won't take that" exchange can not take place. Privacy issue. So, I am not sure that the answer could be that any medication administration that happens at a table with a family member needs to wait until after supper, except for the family member's resident. Either they are given before or after...if they are timed medications, then you need to be within the time frame, but not at supper.
And each resident is different. Is it feasible that a senekot can wait until bedtime meds?
I guess my issue is that if a family member is hanging about at mealtimes, then the residents at the table do not have the privacy they are entitled to as far as medications. There are pot-stirrers everywhere--"I can pull my mother out of here..." (
I would counsel--"You may or may not have seen it done. You may or may not have been 'told' that this is the way it is done. However, our standard is that each medication needs to be administered by the nurse, and noted as taken, declined, etc. My expectation is that going forward, you follow that standard" And you could have discussion as to what the standard/policy is when a family member is at a table and you have to administer medications at the table, to ensure that you are not breaching privacy. Just as easy for the daughter of resident #2 to say "why did resident #1's daughter even KNOW that my mother takes a pill at dinner?!?!?! What is it her business?!?!?!"
Which, is also a valid point.
Going forward, don't ever leave a pill. Additionally ask what the protocol is.
As I understood it, it was ANOTHER resident's family, not the resident in question's family.... Which, no matter how well intended, it is frankly not her business...
Witnessing the nurse do something questionable with another resident raises all sorts of red flags for family members. Think, "If she's doing it with that resident, what is she doing with my mom?" Absolutely a valid concern and cause for pause. Should a family member of another resident know what's happening with this resident? No, they shouldn't. But in reality, they see and hear much more than we think they do, and much more than they should. Cover your ***. Do things right.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
But the OP hasn't been back since.