Medication Nurse Assistants

DusktilDawn · Dec 5, 2005

i've been a med tech for five years now and i use to get on this topic and argue that we have every right to do meds just recently my opinion on this has totally changed. I started a new ltc facility and did not know any of the residents had three days of orientation and then was handed the med cart I thought to myself what in the sams h.ll am i doing not only was I a med tech passing meds but i was a med tech passing meds to people i didn't even know it was the worst exp i've faced yet times like this i wish they did not have med tech's. Although i do think that alot of nurses like med tech's b/c that means they don't have to do it BEFORE ANYONE SAYS ANYTHING I DIDN'T SAY ALL NURSES. My last job they had cmt's/med tech's doing the insulins and neb tx's to they put to much responsibility on a person with little to no education.

Tiffany, that is exactly the issue: putting too much responsibility on a person with little to no education. This is why this issue is a concern to a lot of nurses. It's not about what we feel we have the right to practice, it's about what's right and safest for the patients we care for. It's not about disliking or liking one specific group, it is about patient safety.

nursemomruns · Dec 5, 2005

I am not offended; nowhere did I say I was. Just pointing out that some ADN programs do include pharmacology in their programs--I have the 1100 page nightmare of a book still, to prove it, rofl...... Matter of fact, I daresay most nursing programs (ADN or BSN) do include this.
That the one you mention does not, does indeed concern me. I bet after a while it become either a prerequisite course or incorporated into that program, as well. It is just too important not to be included.

A very well-known university in our area did away with a separate pharmacology course a few years ago. They believed that they could integrate pharmacology into other courses. After a couple of years, the university once again began requiring a separate pharmacology course. I imagine that once nursing graduates start performing poorly in the area of pharmacology on the NCLEX exams, schools that do not require a separate course, will. Sad that exam results are a driver to do what's right.

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 5, 2005

Pharm is so important. That nursing programs are dropping it really concerns me. What a set-up. I will say again, I believe strongly there is no role for unlicensed personnel to be administering medications. To leave out the assessments only licensed personnel are trained and must do, prior to, and after giving medications, is just plain wrong. It's not about med techs being "good or bad" people----I just feel cutting corners in this way is dangerous and wrong.

nurseman99 · Dec 5, 2005

my hospital does not use cma,s,qmt,or any uap to give out meds.but,i felt the need to comment regarding assessing pt;s r/t the meds they get.working in oncology does the med tech know to ask about the side effects of all the meds they are passing out?do they look up the pt;s k level for lasix?take a manual b/p for tenormin?i;m just curious.during resp tx;s are you required to assess breath sounds?i know when we first started having our pca,s do ekg;s and blood draws they were less eager to do q2hr turns and skin care w/me.DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND ME PLEASE,i do not want to offend anyone,but i think when you give uap;s more resposibilty the bread and butter of their job description gets overlooked.i know administration is looking for cheaper ways to deliver care,but almost every study ever conducted shows the more r.n. hrs per pt day the safer it is for the pt.if i have a good cna/pca,working as a team my 7pt oncology assignment is much easier to do.

tiffanycmt · Dec 5, 2005

I have worked as a med tech is nebraska and missouri and as far as I know they only use cmt's in nursing homes/group homes i have never heard of them using them in a hospital. I have however heard of them using them in correctional nursing.

lynnie17 · Dec 7, 2005

wow all of this is so new and so interesting to me I think that its sad that the pharm and med passing seems to be taking so lightly in some facilities and personally becoming a nurse for me one of my core things is to pass drugs thats something that I personally want to do as a part of my job and thats what I want to be trained for on top of many countless things

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 8, 2005

My last job they had cmt's/med tech's doing the insulins and neb tx's to they put to much responsibility on a person with little to no education.

I agree. Especially since I have been taught in nursing school to have another RN check the isulin I draw up...not that I ever see that happen, but that is another thread. My point is, as an RN if I have to have another licensed professional check behind me with certain medications, then why are unlicensed personnel allowed to give those same medications.

lynnie17 · Dec 8, 2005

You are so right it is really a sad day when things like that are taking place. I think that there has to be a way for nurses to reclaim what there rights are and what should be done in there states. Health should be equal accross state lines there is so much difference from state to state , facility to facility and health is all the same it does not care anybody no matter what facility or state have across the line the same issues.

tiffanycmt · Dec 10, 2005

I've recently started a new job and my job duties are OVERWHELMING to say the least they have me doing med's for 75+ ppl (not sure the exact census) I talked to a nurse up there and i said i think that is WAY to much to put off on a cmt and she just looked @ me like i was crazy and said "you do" SO not all nurses see what you guys see and a few months ago i didn't see it either but i'm really considering taking my 50 CENT pay cut and giving up my med tech I just feel like it's to much for me to handle and im scared to death of making in error before when i was doing meds at my last job i knew the people and there was only 35 residents i was responsible for med pass well jumping from 35 to 75+ is a little to big of a leap for me although at this job all we (the med techs) do is meds it's still to many people I am greatful that I know longer have to do insulin but they need to really think about the work load they put on someone that is NOT licensed and see if they still think its safe .........

GLORIAmunchkin72 · Dec 10, 2005

That's way-way too much. Sounds to me like they are trying to squeeze all they can out of you. Having that many patients will cause you to hurry and overlook something. Give them their 50c back!

I've recently started a new job and my job duties are OVERWHELMING to say the least they have me doing med's for 75+ ppl (not sure the exact census) I talked to a nurse up there and i said i think that is WAY to much to put off on a cmt and she just looked @ me like i was crazy and said "you do" SO not all nurses see what you guys see and a few months ago i didn't see it either but i'm really considering taking my 50 CENT pay cut and giving up my med tech I just feel like it's to much for me to handle and im scared to death of making in error before when i was doing meds at my last job i knew the people and there was only 35 residents i was responsible for med pass well jumping from 35 to 75+ is a little to big of a leap for me although at this job all we (the med techs) do is meds it's still to many people I am greatful that I know longer have to do insulin but they need to really think about the work load they put on someone that is NOT licensed and see if they still think its safe .........

gypsyangelrn · Dec 10, 2005

As a long time RN, I find this trend frightening and irresponsible. Dispensing medications is one of the core functions of nurses....who have had specialized training in Pharmacology! The powers that be emphasize critical thinking...and it is essential in giving meds! Just because it is on the MAR doesn't mean we automatically give it....we all know that! This is really scarey, especially if med techs are covered by MY license!!

lynnie17 · Dec 11, 2005

wow that RN hit on the nose I am school and one thing I learn is that you are working off the the nurses license when doing anything to his/her patient that is absolutely horrible when I graduate I dont know if I would allow that I think I would opt to give my own meds and ask them please to not assign a med tech to me that not only takes pressure off the tech but off me as well