Intravenous meds and medical assistants

memphispanda, RN · Oct 27, 2003

Well, here in TN, only RNs are supposed to do IV push meds. MAs can give injections according to the BON, however I haven't seen it happen in the hospital or my physicians offices. I do know one physician group that has MAs do their lab draws in their office.

I am against an MA being able to give meds unless they have to pass the same med tests I do. How else can they prove competancy? And are MAs taught what to do prior to giving certain meds--say digoxin? And IV meds--no way. It's too risky. There's no taking it back once it's done, and there are an awful lot of things to remember to do/look for when giving IV meds.

Brownms46 · Oct 27, 2003

:chuckle, CNA do lab draws, and those who draw labs in the hospitals, have no more educations, "most" times, then a CNA receives! And I will bet the CMAs I have worked with passed much more difficult tests than you have:D!

memphispanda, RN · Oct 27, 2003

Originally posted by Brownms46
:chuckle, CNA do lab draws, and those who draw labs in the hospitals, have no more educations, "most" times, then a CNA receives! And I will bet the CMAs I have worked with passed much more difficult tests than you have:D!

Uh, did I say they didn't do lab draws? I said I knew one physcian that lets them do lab draws in his office. I know they are allowed to do them, however they don't do them at my place of employment. Our draws are done by the lab people who are trained on the job (mostly). I never said they were or were not highly educated people.

And send the CMAs on to try to pass the tests I have passed in nursing school. I seriously doubt it would happen.

Brownms46 · Oct 27, 2003

The would not only pass it, they would excel! As I have said the ones I worked with were very well educated. And I didn't say CMA drew blood, the post says CNAs, and that those who draw blood have many times no more education than CNAs

memphispanda, RN · Oct 27, 2003

Well, let me defer to your higher knowledge then. :rolleyes:

I believe that it is entirely possible that things work a bit differently in different places.

I'm not exactly sure what exactly you are trying to get across to me, however, you are right about one thing--you said CNA in your post and I read CMA in my mind. CNAs don't draw blood around here unless they have had separate phlebotomy training, however we don't hire CNAs in the hospital I work for, only CMAs, and they don't draw blood in the hospital either. I assure you, that the education our CMAs receive is nothing like what the nurses receive. I seriously doubt any CMA could pop into my school and pass the tests without classes and study. Maybe they could do it at your school though.

Brownms46 · Oct 27, 2003

CNAs draw blood in a whole number of places, and I sure "I" know they teach brain surgery where you are, so I'm sure they could pick it anything you did at your school!

This is the exactly the elitism I was talking about! Just because someone is working in another area of the health field, and not licensed, doesn't make them ignorant or not capable of doing gaining a license, or anything else they desired! :rolleyes: !!!!!! And this yet from someone who hasn't even got a license YET!!!!!!!!

And when you get to where I am in my experience level...then talk...then talk!:rolleyes!

memphispanda, RN · Oct 27, 2003

Where exactly did I say they were NOT CAPABLE of getting a license? Point it out to me.

I said that they would need to go to school to be able to pass the tests. Very elitist of me indeed.

Thanks for noticing I haven't a license yet. I'm sure that has something to do with this conversation.

Love-A-Nurse · Oct 27, 2003

"and this yet from someone who hasn't even got a license yet!!!!!!!!"

brownie, that's so unfair....don't you think?

Brownms46 · Oct 27, 2003

Love-A-Nurse I didn't think so, but if you say it was, I will bow to your assessment. So memphispanda, my apologies to you. But I felt and have said, it bothers me when people make assumptions about things, that they have no real knowledge of. But I may have went to far in expressing my outrage, and if I did, I sincerely apologize for doing so.

jadednurse · Oct 27, 2003

OK everyone, enough w/ the sarcasm and indirect put-downs. Take a time-out from this thread if need be.

Brownms46 · Oct 27, 2003

Point taken jadednurse, and headed to the Break Room!

SouthRN · Jan 10, 2004

Originally posted by Trishikins
I'm all for restrictions on duties and medications a MA can do. A few years ago, I was working in a private clinic VERY briefly, and I was amazed the freedom we had there. The doctor I worked for wanted me to do things licensed people should do. Like insert a catheter! I knew I couldn't, (wouldn't know where to even begin for that matter), and when I told him, he just scoffed and said his previous nurse didn't have a problem with it. When I continued to refuse, he asked another MA to do it..and she did!!! I quickly left. Though I may not have a license to lose, I would still be held accountable for my actions reguardless. I don't need a license to realize the dangers in allowing improperly trained staff give certain meds, but ALL meds? If I were to go to my LVN and ask her to give a patient Tylenol, she'd laugh in my face, and most likely, I'd be reported to my Administrator for not performing my basic duties.

I just love this place! I am finally going to post..

I was a CMA before becoming a RN 10 years ago. It was a great training ground for someone interested in the greater healthcare. I enjoyed working for that office. BUT I have to say the scope of practice was ZERO for giving meds. Of course there were two MD's on site in case anything went wrong. I ALSO found out soon enough that as a CMA I was not covered by any malpractice insurance as the other providers. I may have received the order, BUT I was also the last to touch the pt. So I was totally liable....

They had me signing off on what injection I administered, from Depo-Medrol to Phenegran. Why did they do that? Documentation: that I was the one that HAD GIVEN the medication! No fools on that ship!

After talking to a RN that was a friend of mine, I was finally talked into the nursing program.

Why is that? Because if I did want to go into the nursing program later and I had harmed someone, that one mistake would have blown my chances.

I DO NOT think that unlicensed persons should be giving medications, period! You may look up the medication in your current PDR, but are you ready for the rapid decompensation of your pt. in the office and what will entail afterwards?! LAWSUIT! Can you handle that responsibility? Will your office back you? Most likely not.....

I say forego anymore training/continuing education and go to school for training as a RN. It is worth every bit. You will be able to help a pt. in distress for a medication that you have administered. LOL! If you have any experience under your belt, you will be able to work circles around a MD that easily flips out and take control of the situation.

I currently work in an office after paying my dues in the hospital. We have one CMA and I make her life miserable by showing her everything she can do LEGALLY. She is entering the Nursing program this next fall. I give all the injections on my side of the building and she understands why. I shudder to think what I did before becoming a RN. If you are a RN and are working in a office with a CMA, your encouragement to become legit "nurse" is the best gift you can give.

This is to the CMA's from a former one :kiss