We have a long way to go as health care providers - Page 3

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  1. Sep 14, '12 by
    Wish_me_luck, you were treated very unfairly. I hope you find justice.

    Aside from that, my father was a pharmacy tech, and I can tell you that the salaray pales in comparison to that of an RN (you might as well spend your spare time working the counter at Dunkin' Donuts), and the opportunities for education are not great, but are minimal compared to what you will deal with as a nurse, handling the same drugs.
  2. Sep 14, '12 by
    I think the history and nature of the individual's behavioral diagnosis is significant in this case, s/he is going to have direct access to medications. It may not be in anyone's best interest for some individuals with certain behavioral health issues to have unfettered acces to drugs.
    morte likes this.
  3. Sep 15, '12 by
    Wet Noodle, thanks. I know the money is not nearly as much as nursing but it was going to be something on the side. Just something to make extra money and learn drugs at the same time.

    BlueDevil, I understand your perspective. I am a female, by the way. To me, whether someone is receiving adequate treatment for the condition trumps the nature of the condition. You also have to consider the severity of the condition. Not everyone is on the same level.
    pyriticsilence and VivaLasViejas like this.
  4. Sep 15, '12 by
    wish_me_luck I feel for you. I too live in VA (close to multiple states) and I have a friend who has a couple mental illness dx assigned to her, but the VBON was nice to her as well and she's been a CNA for many many years. I saw, probably 10 years ago now, this same friend have trouble with other career paths because of those dx. I'm sure you'll find the path that is right for you and will be a stronger person from this experience. Best of luck to you!
  5. Sep 15, '12 by
    Good lord. I am sooo sorrry. It sickens me the way we treat the mentally ill here in the USA in the year 2012. I lost my brother to mental illness and it makes me sooo angry.......

    We need to wake up!!
    pyriticsilence, Esme12, and VivaLasViejas like this.
  6. Sep 15, '12 by
    Yes, mindlor, we need to wake up. EMTtoRNinVA, I agree. I am a firm believer in God (not religious though) and I think this is one of His ways of making me a stronger person. I don't regret disclosing it and I can't say that I wish I didn't have a mental illness. It is what it is and I am trying to make the best of the situation and grow from it. It makes me realize how much work there is left to be done in the realm of acceptance and treatment of mental health problems. That just makes me try that much harder. Perhaps I can be the one that changes how the Board of Pharmacy views mental illness.

    I wrote a letter to the executive director of the Board of Pharmacy and attached it in an email. There's a way in dealing with these boards. Just be polite, kind, courteous, and respectful/tactful. I told them why I wanted the pharmacy technician license and was honest when I told them that my primary profession is nursing. The pharmacy tech license was so I can have something on the side for a little pocket change and really learn the drugs. With our patient loads these days, it is hard to find time to stand at a computer on wheels (COW) and look up every drug you do not know. Yet we are 100% responsible for every drug that is given to a patient. I went on to explain that I am a very productive member of society and explained that I don't think I am threat and how I disclosed (to both boards) because I would rather disclose my mental illness (and that I am treated) and have their approval than to lie.

    I emailed it to the executive director and copied the deputy executive director on it. I got a response back from the deputy executive director and she will present it to a committee that is meeting next week. I don't know what will happen; but at least I can say I tried. I do appreciate her presenting the letter to the committee though.
    pyriticsilence and VivaLasViejas like this.
  7. Sep 15, '12 by
    Quote from mariebailey
    As you are likely aware, I was referring to the VA Board of Nursing. 10 out of 13 of them have some sort of nursing credentials after their name. The post I responded to made a blanket statement that state regulatory bodies in general were not HCPs. I felt it was pertinent to mention b/c this is allnurses.com.
    As you are likely aware, it is the Virginia Board of Pharmacy (none of the board members are nurses) who denied the OP her credential to work as a pharmacy tech, not the VBON. The VBON (the majority of them nurses) did grant her a license to practice nursing. I think this is pertinent to mention, given the topic of the thread.
    Wet Noodle likes this.
  8. Sep 15, '12 by
    Quote from mariebailey
    I'll let the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) know they need to change their name ASAP!!!
    NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness - Mental Health Support, Education and AdvocacyThis is our country's largest advocacy org for this population; are they perpetuating the stigma?
    I don't think you understood my statement. Clearly, NAMI is referring to mental illness itself, not people with mental health diagnoses as "the mental ill". Do you not see the distinction?
    Wet Noodle likes this.
  9. Guide
    Sep 15, '12 by
    In fact, NAMI used to stand for "National Alliance for the Mentally Ill". That's progress right there. =)
    pyriticsilence, Wet Noodle, and ~*Stargazer*~ like this.
  10. Sep 15, '12 by
    Quote from BlueDevil,DNP
    I think the history and nature of the individual's behavioral diagnosis is significant in this case, s/he is going to have direct access to medications. It may not be in anyone's best interest for some individuals with certain behavioral health issues to have unfettered acces to drugs.
    I agree. I can see denying someone with past drug use, or someone who has been previously involuntarily institutionalized, but the idea that any form of mental health problem warrants such a reaction is worrisome.
    pyriticsilence and VivaLasViejas like this.