16 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com
hazardous
habits
I was standing at the med cart,
measuring an insulin injection, when I saw the nurse supervisor
heading my way. I froze.
The top drawer of the med cart was open. A quick glance would
be all she needed to see that I had pre-poured several meds to
administer later in my shift.
She approached and stood next to me.
"Do you have any extra hearing aid batteries?" she asked.
I held the syringe in the insulin vial with my left hand and hastily
handed her a battery with my right. I watched her gaze travel down
to the little paper dispensing cups full of meds and the names I'd
written on tiny pieces of paper.
She then looked up at me. We locked eyes — only for a second —
and then she thanked me and walked away.
How
shortcuts
and
workarounds
become
the
dangerous
new
normal
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