Is anyone else uncomfortable with this?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I know I should be thankful when a CMT is on my floor and passes my meds for me, but it makes me somewhat uncomfortable and I feel the need to pass the meds myself. I'm just not sure that a CMT will be looking for the same adverse reactions, etc. that I would be looking for. I'm not saying she/he would not do their job to the best of their ability, I just think that when passing meds I have a few minutes to observe the patient and possible give in a little medication information/education. Plus, I've ordered quite a few barium swallows after watching a patient try to choke down that water. Am I the only one who feels that the nurse should be passing the meds?:smackingf

Specializes in geriatrics.

Day 1: Introduction to the role of the CMA

Day 2: Medical Terminology, Abbreviations, Symbols

Day 3: Overview of Anatomy & Physiology

Day 4: Nervous System and Sensory System

Day 5: Cardiovascular/Respiratory System

Day 6: Basic Pharmacology

Day 7: Basic Pharmacology (cont`d)

Day 8: Rights of Medication Administration

Day 9: Safe Administration of Medication

Day 10: Safe Administration of Medication (cont`d)

Day 11: Appropriate Documentation

Day 12: Medication Error Identification, Reporting, and Documentation

Day 13 thru Day 19: Clinicals

Day 20: Final Exam

(see new thread, please - thanks)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

The above is the curriculum set forth by the OBN. Our instructors have added to it, and, as you can see, it is 4 weeks instead of 3.

The OBN put together a text for this course, and sent it to the schools who are giving the training. Our instructors added the additional information that they felt was necessary for us to learn, then modified the text into student form.

In addition to our own textbooks, which were taken from the state text, we have an additional booklet of 25 pages of different classifications of medicines, with all of the commonly-used medications for each area listed for us.(This was also taken from the OBN text)

Our clinicals are to be one-on-one ( one student with one instructor) for 5 days, in one of the nursing homes in the pilot program.

We must maintain a grade average of 80% in order to graduate.(80% was the figure set by the OBN)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I have started the new thread " Ohio CMC Course Outline" for more expedient reading/posting. THANX :chair:

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

On the other hand, if I go and tell the nurse " I gave Mrs. Jones 2 Tylenol for back pain, but she doesn`t have an order yet - can you get one?" then it is MY problem, and mine alone

Completely disagree. It's yet another scenario where the nurse is the fallguy.

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Specializes in ICU-Stepdown.

I'm sorry, maybe I'm prejudiced. I just don't want ANYONE giving my patients medications except for myself. MY signature goes on the MARs every night, and my signature is on the flowsheet. I feel like I'm the one who will be held responsible if the patient has adverse effects. There are other things that would help me in the job far more than just being a pill-dropper.

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can students in the us give meds without supervision?

no. they are supposed to have studied the meds they will be passing prior to the clinical shift on which they will pass them. then, the instructor is supposed to quiz them about the med and if she feels they know the meds and have done their preparation and understand the reasons for the meds, side effects, interactions, etc., she lets them go ahead and give them. if not, they are supposed to not be allowed to give meds yet.

the instructor is supposed to make sure the med dose, route, time, etc. are correct.

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Completely disagree. It's yet another scenario where the nurse is the fallguy.

If this happened, I would try to get the order. However, whoever did this would get educated on the proper way to deal with this.

1. Get the order.

2. Give the med after you do #1.

I'd report the whole mess to the higher-up's and pray no one (like a lawyer) ever noticed that the med was given before the order was obtained. Risk Management and the Administrator, as well as the DON, Ward Manager, and whoever all else would be made aware that I was not the one who made the mistake. I would expect them to take care that it never occurred again.

Who is teaching these people to do this? What if the doctor didn't want to give a Tylenol order - like maybe liver enzymes are up or whatever? :monkeydance:

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People who comment on CMA's should find out what they are before commenting. We are not CMT's or CNA's. We do not work under the license of any nurse, nor is any nurse responsible for our actions. I and many other CMAs have an AS in Medical Assisting which means 2 years of college and clinical work along with an externship. We have A&P and pharmacology. We have more education than LPN's and the same as many RN's We take a national certifying exam and must maintain our certification with CEU's or re-examination every 5 yrs. CEU's are 60 in 5 yrs. I have been in this field for 20 years and believe me know far more than any newbie nurse. ANY QUESTIONS??????

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Specializes in ICU-Stepdown.

No questions, just a comment. Right from the beginning I expressed that I didn't know what these were (I've certainly never worked with any -perhaps they aren't recognized in Florida? ) -and I also expressed that I didn't want anyone giving meds to my patients except for ME. I still stand by that statement. I don't even have CNAs do my vitals -I do them myself. Its my habit and I stand by it. I certainly meant no insult to that field or its' qualifications -I only 'knew' what I read in this thread -and given what I was reading, I certainly wouldn't want one giving meds to my patients. If, however, I'm not to be held responsible, then its not my business to stick my nose in it -so long as no harm comes to my patient. :)

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

People who comment on CMA's should find out what they are before commenting.

Already did, a long time ago, and like most subjects, i research to educate myself before forming my own opinion.

And the more i read on this thread's subject (CMTs giving meds), the more dangerous it seems.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
We have more education than LPN's and the same as many RN's

If that is so, then why even have nurses in the first place? Something about that quoted claim just isn't washing.

I have been in this field for 20 years and believe me know far more than any newbie nurse. ANY QUESTIONS??????

Just one: how many positive replies have you gotten with claiming that?

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Before I became an RN, I was a non-medication endorsed EN. My hospital did not recognise medication endorsed ENs anyway. So this meant that we could not administer medications, unless under the direct supervision of a registered nurse. Imagine some poor RN watching me give the morning meds? Like she had nothing else to do! I felt that legally I was not only compromising myself but also the RN who was responsible for my medications. So I wouldn't give meds from choice.

If a CMT (I am not sure of their role) isn't recognised then I would not be happy about them doing it either. If they are able to take legal responsibility, then they should already have training to do so, and are accountable for their own actions

A MEN TN Rn o f35 yrs. MKP

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