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I totally agree with what you said about abilities and
willingness to learn and not just about education level. It
sounds like you have had a better experience with med aids than I have.
Unfortunately I have seen a few things that did not turn out so well. One
was an over dose of morphine. I also agree that the same result could have
happened with a nurse too. I know of a couple of aids right now that are
not med aids at this time, but I believe if they took a class they
could probably run circles around some nurses I know. And you're right
some are unable to go to nursing school for financial reasons or other
reasons. I think it would be great if some facilities could help with
tuition expenses and help send some aids to nursing school. (I am sure that
some already do) The facility I work at now has a tuition program but
unfortunately I don't think it is enough.
I think this is a great way to see other points of view and to
open our eyes about certain situations. This has changed my opinion
about med aids. I believe as long as the facility is willing to do the
ongoing education with both med aids and nurses that med aids could be an
asset. Unfortunately the facility I used to work at did not do this and in
this case I think the Residents were put at risk.
Thanks for your response,
Debbie Nichols, RN, RAC-C
RAI Director
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 2:18
PM
Subject: RE: thank you all
In maine we have med
techs. CNAs that take a class. But it is more than 4 hours.
My med techs were better at passing a surveyed med pass than some of the
RNS. As a matter of fact the RN helped us get 7 or 8 counts for a
citation on a med pass. When they came back to resurvey us to see if we
were in compliance it was a Med Tech that pulled it out. we got a
perfect med pass. Her Med pass on a regular day was 45 residents.
We found more mistakes after the licensed staff passed meds than when the med
techs passed meds. We attributed most of the mistakes to
the licensed staff had so many other duties and got called a way
more. A med tech could only do one thing . Pass meds. They
are focused on one thing. A lot of CNAs aren't licensed staff because
they could not afford to go any farther or some other circumstance. A
lot of CNAs are just as quick to learn as a licensed staff person. It
doesn't always have to be about education levels . It can be about
abilities and willingness to learn.
Thank you all for
your opinions. Wish I could sent these letters to the state. You do know
CNAs are passing meds in ALF all the time. with only 4 hours of
training. I see so many mistakes. Its the number one tag in ALFs. I
just found this out this week here in Fl. I will keep you post of results of
the Senate bill.
I totally agree. We spend 2-4 years going
to school to become a nurse and then have to take State Boards and they want
to give some of that responsibility to c.a.'s who would only have to
"complete training." How long would this training be for? What
exactly would the training consist of and how would their knowledge of
what they have or haven't learned be tested? I have not heard of this
bill until now but I absolutely do not agree with it and hope that someone
comes to their senses and realizes that we are dealing with people's lives
and that medication errors can be fatal. I know that even the best
nurse can make a mistake, but I think the chances are less with a nurse as
opposed to a CNA who does not have the training a nurse has had.
If I was a CNA I would not even want that kind of responsibility. As a nurse
I definitely would not want anyone else passing medications to any of my
Residents/Patients.
This bill just doesn't make any sense to
me.
Debbie Nicholas, RN, RACK
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 11:42
AM
Subject: Re: CNA's passing meds: what
do you think? New bill?
In a message dated 2/20/2004 5:57:58 PM
Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Writes:
Dar Listmates,
I was just reading
some bills that might be passed.
One is being proposed
for 2004.
SB492/HB189 "Certified Geriatric Specialists"
allowing CNA's to complete training then being able to administer
meds and treatment to residents and would also be counted as licensed
nurse for purpose of minimum nursing criteria.
Let's ask the rocket
scientists who thought up this bill if they would have an individual with
a weeks worth of training work on their BMW, Mercedes or Lexis. It
is so obviously a cost cutting ploy with no regard to the whole process of
nursing or to the well being of the patient. Would not want my
license riding on the decision making of a CNA passing meds.
Gerald
Ferric, RNA
Sincerely,
BestLittleNurse
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