Am I competent enough to pass medications?

[iNurs5, CNA]

I need your feedback or help. I've been a CNA for about a decade. Anyway, I'm a student nurse. I already completed pharmacology, fundamental, and medsurg.  I performed parenteral and enteral medications, insulin, and other drugs, IV, and...comfortably. However, I'm looking forward to be a medication aide.  I fully understand my scope of practice in each of my role.  

How can I stay on my lane as a medication aide? 

What should I do to keep the clients free from the harm? I'm thinking to use my nursing knowledge and clinical judgment be used as a medication aide. Do I have the appropriate approach?

Thank you. 

[JKL33]

On 7/20/2021 at 6:24 AM, Honyebee said:

I'm thinking to use my nursing knowledge and clinical judgment be used as a medication aide.

I have not worked as a medication aide. I could be off-base.

I do not think it is appropriate for you to be using knowledge and judgment in a way that is outside a strict understanding of the med aide role and the policies that pertain to it. In other words, it would not be appropriate for you to use knowledge you have gained as a student to perform actions or make decisions that the med aide role itself does not allow you to perform. That is the main rule of thumb.

Understand that as you continue to gain knowledge as a student the lines could become blurred in your mind; you will need to guard against that.

Your best approach will be to strictly follow policies related to your med aide role.  You can still make mental note of how your (student) knowledge applies to those situations, and you can also allow your experiences as a med aide to provide some background that is relevant to your future nursing pursuits.

Make sure you are in the correct lane at ALL times.

Best of luck~

[Golden_RN, MSN]

Know your official job description as a med aide & stick to it.  You are not licensed as a nurse yet, so while you may have a little knowledge above & beyond the typical med aide, be very careful not to wade out of your job duties as they are written.

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

In many states there’s a particular process for being certified as a med aide, and the materials preparing you for the exam would answer a lit if your questions. Ask at the BON for further info.

Regardless, you will NOT be able to exceed med aide scope of practice no matter what you have learned or done as a student under supervision if your faculty. 

[iNurs5, CNA]

I withdrew from it. I don't want to have sleep problems. 

[iNurs5, CNA]

Sorry, it took me a while to say that I appreciate and thank you your help and feedback. I passed my exams in my nursing course. I didn't regret giving up the idea of becoming an MA. In my own world, I didn't like it when the levothyroxine and other drugs are given together. Someone didn't like my attitude for pointing out...referring the drug books and EBP. I stated it in non judgmental ways. I was told that I'm just a student nurse. Well, OK.  How about a chemist and physicist that taught me about chemicals? How about the experts taught me about their experience and knowledge?