Im not sure if I could be a nurse..?

caliotter3 · Mar 31, 2011

Your complaints are more common than one would think. Suggest you have a frank talk with your primary care provider. You should also do some serious looking in the direction of stress control. Get some counseling or do some reading of self help books on how to manage stress. A good place to start is a committed intense, regular physical fitness program. Also look at your other health habits. Get rid of the caffeine. Eat right. You know the drill. Try some of these approaches and keep us informed. Others might come up with some other good strategies for you to try.

FLmomof5 · Mar 31, 2011

Even just as a pca, i have to DOUBLE CHECK all of the meds i pour to make sure their right, and check the bottles or cards with the mar to make sure everything is right ..

?? PCA pouring meds? Isn't that out of the scope of practice of a PCA?

http://www.assistedlivingfacilities.org/blog/life-in-assisted-living/cnas-pcas-difference/

- Most states do not allow PCAs to dispense medication other than over the counter medications in a home setting; ie- Tylenol, Ibuprofen.

purse · Mar 31, 2011

Yes, we do pour and give residents ALL their meds... I did take a 8 hr course on 'med training' which probably wasnt enough training. We pour and pass all of our residents pills.

Devie06 · Mar 31, 2011

I was a PCP in Colorado, had to become QMAP certified to administer meds.

MedSurgeMe · Mar 31, 2011

What's a pca?

purse · Mar 31, 2011

i think it stands for personal care attendant.. or assistant or aid or something lol... but it does seem weird to me that cnas have to take classes, but pcas can just go give meds after 8 hrs??!

RN47 · Mar 31, 2011

This is more common than you think, PCA's giving meds,. there are also "medication administration technicians"

Medication Administration Technician (MAT)

Course Description:

- Students will learn how to properly administer medications in an environment where nursing care is not required – such as group homes or residential care facilities.

- Certification course.

- MAT program is designed to provide training required by Oklahoma HB 1092 (May 87) and amended by HB 1880 (June 88).

- Its goal is to enable facility personnel to help meet the health care needs of residential care/group home clients safely and effectively.

- The class will also make students aware of what constitutes liability when assisting clients.

- State law requires a minimum of 15 hours training, which this course covers, and at least eight hours of update training annually (see MAT Update).

- To be eligible for a certificate of completion, a student must complete the entire 15-hour class. Absent hours will constitute a failure of completion.

- Students must be able to read and write at a minimum of an eighth grade level. Oral testing will not be conducted at Meridian Technology Center.

- Class moves at a fast pace. Students must be prepared to study outside of class in order to ensure success.

- Students must test and score a minimum of 85 percent overall and demonstrate the appropriate skills in order to pass the class.

Course Content:

- Ethical and Legal Issues

- Basic Responsibilities

- Standards of Care

- Confidentiality Issues

- Legal Requirements for Reporting Abuse or Neglect

- Administering Medications

- Seven Rights of Medication Administration

- Purposes of Medication and their Common Abbreviations & Symbols

- Properly Storing and Handling of Medications

- Administering Oral Medication in Liquid and Pill Form

- Administering Topical Medication

- Administering Eye and Ear Medication

- Administering Nasal and Inhalant Medication

- Administering Rectal and lady partsl Medication

-

- Documentation of Medication Administration

- Explain Purposes of Documentation

- Legal Importance

- Basic Information to Include

- Vital Signs

- Symbols for Documentation of Vital Signs

- Locating Pulse Points

- Respiration

- Normal Ranges of Vital Sign Readings

purse · Mar 31, 2011

hmmm? i never had to take a test... It was just some nurse telling us how to read the mar and how to record PRNS etc etc.... I get really nervous when giving pills, such as if a resident wants tylenol but they get a straight over for vicodin.. There is NOWHERE it says you cant give the 2 together, but i guess youd just have to know that there is aceaminophen in vicodin...even though we were never told that.. One instance was when this lady was in chronic back pain.. She had orders for darvocet, but also orders for oxycodone. We had the darvocet on hand, but it wasnt working well enough for her so the dr. sent an order for oxy (which we were still waiting for from the pharmacy).. Well, i didnt want to give her darvocet AND oxy when it came in (it was expected any min) so Im trying to locate the charge nurse to ask her, while the daughter of the family member is yelling at me about her mothers pain. Then the family member went to look for the charge nurse, and the charge nurse calls me and says "Why wouldnt you give her the darvocet?? Darvocet and the oxy can be given together" but the way she said it it was like she expected me to just KNOW that and talked to me like i was some kind of idiot.

Terry, RN, EMT · Mar 31, 2011

I had never heard of that either, until I worked for awhile at a nearby nursing home. In the Assisted Living Area they used a CNA, which I believe is the same thing as a PCA, who had to take a class to "assist" the residents in taking their meds., which actually meant the CNA put them in the cup and the resident took them;) There are limits on the things they can assist with. They couldn't give any type of injections except insulin. I had to go over there to give things like epogen.

Your "self doubting" is normal and in time will get better. My concern is that it's interfering with your sleep. I would suggest (as others have ) that you speak to your primary. If you care about your patients that's a good reason to become a nurse, but you have to be able to handle the stress or you'll get "burn out" really quick.

As a mother of a 19 year old daughter that's been trying to decide on nursing or paramedic, I just want to tell you to make sure this is what you want to do before spending all the tuition money. Is there another area that really appeals to you more? Holly (my daughter) became an EMT first and loves it and has decided to go for a paramedic. I feel she should go for the RN, but it's not my life and she's young enough to go back if that's what she decides. If it's what you REALLY want to do, go for it.

Going to school, whether it's the ADN or BSN will give you much more education, and I think will give you more confidence.

EmergencyNrse · Mar 31, 2011

For all you people out there that think your nursing license is the only authorization to administer medications you're WRONG! Out from under the umbrella of LTC and hospital care people actually have to take medications and it doesn't take a masters in nursing to give a pill.

There are people out there giving pills, shots and (yes) even IV medications without ANY formal medical training at all. Get over yourselves and your license. It's necessary. Especially for families that have limited funds to care for gramma and grandpa with failing health at home. There are people @ "assisted living" facilities that are absolutely qualified to take a pill out of a container and help gramma take it. Gee, and on time, on the correct day and everything.

As for the original poster. Go for it! Even if it's one class at a time.

Always strive to better yourself. Before you know it you'll be done

and making a better life for you and your family.

Good luck. :up:

purse · Mar 31, 2011

Thank you for the advice!!:loveya: