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CLINICAL PRACTICUM POLICIES RELATED TO UNDERGRADUATE, UNLICENSED STUDENTS

Controlled Substances Policy

1. In accounting for controlled substances, the student follows the protocol of the specific clinical facility.

2. Wasting of any controlled substance must be documented by 2 licensed nurses.

3. Follow individual facility protocol for wasting or discarding contaminated medication.

4. Sign for controlled substances before removing from locked storage. Recording must be in ink, and cosigned by licensed nurse or obtained with computer code of a licensed nurse.

5. If the drug is not administered after access, discard and document. Any waste must be witnessed and cosigned by two licensed nurses in "sign out" book or by entering computer code. See specific agency protocol.

Student Nurse Legal Limitations

1. Students may not give medications with an outdated order.

2. Students may not transfer/transport narcotics from pharmacy or other nursing units.

3. Students do not carry narcotic keys.

Miscellaneous Policies

1. Students may not take verbal or telephone orders from any physician.

2. Junior and Senior students may take verbal and telephone reports from other departments according to agency policy.

3. Students may not sign or witness any legal document while in student role (i.e. consent to treat, informed consents, wills, etc.) of nurse and student.

4. All doses of insulin and heparin are to be double checked by a licensed nurse.

5. Students are expected to follow CDC and OSHA guidelines for body substance isolation.

6. The student caring for a patient can expect to have a Registered Nurse retain ultimate responsibility for the patient's care. The student can expect the RN to sign the nursing documentation sheet.

7. All medication calculations are to be validated by RN/instructor.

8. Students are responsible for reporting their abilities and limitations to RNs.

9. Student may not accept gifts from patients. Students may accept notes/letters of thanks from patients.