Can CNAs pass meds in assisted living in Arkansas?

[GypsyTig]

As an RN, would you work in an assisted-living facility with CNAs passing medications?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

2 hours ago, GypsyTig said:

So would an RN who works part time in an ALF2 doing paperwork jeopardize her license if they have CNAs passing meds?

Yes...unless another nursing professional is on-duty who is considered their supervisor and delegating to them med administration. If you are the only professional providing instruction/delegation/supervision.during shift, then you are responsible.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

In my state (OR), care staff who aren't even certified can pass meds and even give SQ injections. The facility RN delegates these tasks to the med assistant and checks them off on skills every three months after the initial trial period of one month. It's been my experience with med aides that some of them are very good at what they do; they are curious about medications and are eager to learn everything they can. It's the ones who don't take this responsibility seriously that make everyone look bad, including the nurse who trained them.

Now that I look back on my years as an assisted living DNS, I'm reminded of how scary it is to rely on unlicensed and uncertified personnel, some of whom barely graduated from high school, to pass meds and {{{shudder}}} give insulin shots. (And I'm talking about the old-fashioned way, by drawing insulin from a vial and using a sliding scale.) I must have done something right, because there were very few med errors and little drama with my med aides. Then again, I tended to hire people who were interested in nursing and medicine. All the things that could have gone sideways with the residents, never did, and my license was never threatened. But I was also damned lucky.

[GypsyTig, ADN]

On 11/24/2019 at 9:02 PM, NRSKarenRN said:

Yes...unless another nursing professional is on-duty who is considered their supervisor and delegating to them med administration. If you are the only professional providing instruction/delegation/supervision.during shift, then you are responsible.

Thank you, that is what I was afraid of.

On 11/25/2019 at 2:11 AM, VivaLasViejas said:

In my state (OR), care staff who aren't even certified can pass meds and even give SQ injections. The facility RN delegates these tasks to the med assistant and checks them off on skills every three months after the initial trial period of one month. It's been my experience with med aides that some of them are very good at what they do; they are curious about medications and are eager to learn everything they can. It's the ones who don't take this responsibility seriously that make everyone look bad, including the nurse who trained them.

Now that I look back on my years as an assisted living DNS, I'm reminded of how scary it is to rely on unlicensed and uncertified personnel, some of whom barely graduated from high school, to pass meds and {{{shudder}}} give insulin shots. (And I'm talking about the old-fashioned way, by drawing insulin from a vial and using a sliding scale.) I must have done something right, because there were very few med errors and little drama with my med aides. Then again, I tended to hire people who were interested in nursing and medicine. All the things that could have gone sideways with the residents, never did, and my license was never threatened. But I was also damned lucky.

Wow that is really scary. I worked really hard for my RN license and I’m not going to do anything to risk it.