ANY RN, LPN, NP, PA, CRNA, MSN, CNS, PhD, DNSc, etc......PLEASE read

Equinox_93 · Feb 16, 2009

In the state where I reside, the medication aide pours the pills into the cup and hands them to the appropriate patient. The nurse is not involved in the administration of oral and topical medications.
In all of the places where I've been employed that utilize med aides, the nurses do not set up, pour, prepare, or administer pills. The nurses focus on vital signs, blood glucose monitoring, wound care, injections, IV meds, assessments, respiratory therapy, admissions, discharges, and so forth.

Who does the monitoring in those situations? The nurses or the med aides?

Equinox_93 · Feb 16, 2009

Oooohhhh- you mean that med techs aren't even state certified? THAT changes alot IMO. I had been thinking that a med tech was something similar to a CNA but with different training related to meds. Yeah- if they don't receive adequate training and aren't regulated by the state- I can certainly see the problems!

The problem I have experience with Med Tech's is that most Med Techs I worked with do not have a heart for nursing or want to do things correctly.
Now this can be a blind statement because it really dosn't speak for all Med Tech's and it is simple my experience. However, I will say this, the playing field is not even, when you are a nurse even a CNA which is a nurse Tech. you have a certain amount of time invested into your training, and then you have a board that holds you accountable, so if this was about patient care, then I would be all for it but then again there would be better training for Med Tech's this however, is not the case.
Thus, when we speak of Med Techs being unskilled, I say, you have to care enough to want to be skilled. I would not put someone else life on the line to make an extra 8.00 per hour that is just crazy.

1stloveistobeanurse · Feb 16, 2009

Yes this has been the problem in my experience, Med Techs even for the states like FL that are certified, it is a 4 hours course, and that is taught by a drug store, they show you how to crush meds -they dont tell you all meds shoud not be crush. And, even if the Med Tech is abusive of his/her responsibility nothing happens because it is simple just a certificate they receive, and no state accountablity what so ever. Being a Med Tech is extermely dangerous. Come to think of it most MedTech's I worked with were not even CNA, and some ALF I worked did not even have a nurse on staff to oversee them giving out medication.

Oooohhhh- you mean that med techs aren't even state certified? THAT changes alot IMO. I had been thinking that a med tech was something similar to a CNA but with different training related to meds. Yeah- if they don't receive adequate training and aren't regulated by the state- I can certainly see the problems!

RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2009

Part of passing meds is the quick assessment that is done just prior to actually giving them. When a nurse walks into a patients room a lot of things are done that you might not realize occurs.....this is when sometimes an assessment might end in a med being held or delayed. Things like BPs before a BP med or AP or making sure a patient isn't having loose stools and you come in with Miralax, colace, senna, etc. Being able to see that a patient may need PRN meds based in info given verbally by the patient--ie c/o pain, of the nurse noticing the patient is anxious or SOB and with that a O2 Sat and lung auscultation may need to be done..... Or a person could have BG issues and be symptomatic.....

Weather nurses realize they are doing it or not they are doing a quick assessment, even if if's just looking at the patient head to toe and noting things.....body language. And they know what they are giving to the patient and how is may effect the pat. --this is often the time when patients report side effects or they are noticed by the nurse.........NURSES need to pass meds because there is SO much more to a med pass then just the physical task of handing the pils to the patient. An uneducated eye doesn't really know what to be looking for or may not know when something is abnormal or what meds require specific monitoring. There is a reason this has always been done by licenced professionals and it needs to stay that way.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2009

Part of passing meds is the quick assessment that is done just prior to actually giving them. When a nurse walks into a patients room a lot of things are done that you might not realize occurs.....this is when sometimes an assessment might end in a med being held or delayed. Things like BPs before a BP med or AP or making sure a patient isn't having loose stools and you come in with Miralax, colace, senna, etc. Being able to see that a patient may need PRN meds based in info given verbally by the patient--ie c/o pain, of the nurse noticing the patient is anxious or SOB and with that a O2 Sat and lung auscultation may need to be done..... Or a person could have BG issues and be symptomatic.....
Weather nurses realize they are doing it or not they are doing a quick assessment, even if if's just looking at the patient head to toe and noting things.....body language. And they know what they are giving to the patient and how is may effect the pat. --this is often the time when patients report side effects or they are noticed by the nurse.........NURSES need to pass meds because there is SO much more to a med pass then just the physical task of handing the pils to the patient. An uneducated eye doesn't really know what to be looking for or may not know when something is abnormal or what meds require specific monitoring. There is a reason this has always been done by licenced professionals and it needs to stay that way.

I totally agree with this!

If the state feels that they MUST pass a law to have med techs, why not make it a certificate like the CNA's have? Have a board to be accountable to? Maybe make the training 2 weeks or something? Not just one day!! IF they're going to do this, it needs to be like that.

BUT, I am against having medication aides. Here in Texas we have them at nursing homes and just for that reason I would never work at a nsg home.

1stloveistobeanurse · Feb 16, 2009

I am happy to see after becoming a Med Tech and leaving it alone for this very same reason I am not crazy after all. Some people think, well, you do what you are required to do and that is it. No, when you are dealing with peoples lives and making a career out of nursing not just another paycheck, then you want to do right by people and you want to make sure you are properly trained to do so. I am busting my tail going to school to learn as much as I can to become the best nurse I can possible become. I do not need to become a Med Tech looking for experience and learning all the wrong things in the process.

When will govt every learn

accountable is the key at least give the public that,

I totally agree with this!
If the state feels that they MUST pass a law to have med techs, why not make it a certificate like the CNA's have? Have a board to be accountable to? Maybe make the training 2 weeks or something? Not just one day!! IF they're going to do this, it needs to be like that.
BUT, I am against having medication aides. Here in Texas we have them at nursing homes and just for that reason I would never work at a nsg home.

ccuRNinTN · Feb 16, 2009

my quick reply: i hope you take the opposing stance and that this proposal is not implemented. i worked for an employer that attempted to decrease my pay by several dollars an hour. how much easier for them to accomplish their task if they can get employees who didn't obtain a nursing license to do my job for even less per hour. of course, i'm concerned with my own job security, but i also see where the patients do not benefit from people lacking the proper education to be dispensing medications. good luck with your project.

no worries, i am opposing this bill 100%!!

-ccurnintn

ccuRNinTN · Feb 16, 2009

I am opposing this bill

Irene joy · Feb 16, 2009

I am a former med tech. I was a pre-nursing student at the time and yes, I took a one day class to become one. I have to say I understand both sides of the argument. I felt comfortable with myself but that was only because I had taken all my A&P classes and was invested in researching my drugs and the side effect. Not all med techs do this. If it were my liscence though, I would be very worried about someone making an error and having the responcibility landing in my lap.Not to mention the effect it could have on the patient.

HappyBunnyNurse · Feb 16, 2009

Think of this not only from the standpoint of protecting nurses' licenses but also as patient advocates. If these legislators (or their family members) were the patient who would they want to give them their medicine? I can't tell you how many times I walked into the room prepared to give meds and the patient told me something that made me hold something. Also med pass is the best time to do education about meds. This way the patients better remember what side effects to watch for, how to take it when they are discharged, and etc. The nurse can't just breeze through later and teach these things.