LPN vs CMA

[Blair CPT,LPN]

LPNs in geriatric the CMA's feel that giving medication is above CNA work and they are too Nurses .. This bothers me more than anything a nurses Job is all of the above with experience of medication beyond a Med Tech..

I graduated first as a Phlebotomist and this gave me excellent base to learn observe and assist Nurses . I went on to gain experience on a Telemetry floor as both a monitor tech and Patient tech. I learned so much from it ...I NEVER pretended to know more or imposed a Nurse until I had the title and knowledge to do so. And I worked my way up.

Then as nurse I enter geriatric assisted living which is an entire new world.. The chain of command was terrible the titles of some nurses as administrative directors being LPNs just confused me. The med tech basically took a course over a period of 2-3 weeks but yet they are allowed to suggest the nurses stock carts and refuse CNA care ?!

I was hired as a nursing supervisor as an LPN it felt almost crazy to have that title so I took my job serious.

We all know how hard it can be as nurses with school your first job feels like you earned your place.. Bottom line there are some bad seeds in the profession that seem to really get to you as a person and a nurse . I have since left and am looking for a better work environment . I know from reading on here about delegation I have made the right choice to protect my license and New Nurses should know don't be afraid to practice what you learned bc when you go on to work you are going to experience some educated arguments for all the right reasons ..

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

You are in a position to develop education and awareness for your staff. I recommend reviewing your nurse practice act and use that to teach what is within the scope of practice for each job description. Does not hurt to remind people!

[nursefromcali]

CMA are not nurse. Literally they are medical assistant that are certified. They do some skills like nurse do like giivng shots but with out doctor and licensed personnel they can't function independently. Technically they have to work under licensed person in order for them to the job. "Us' nurse we can give shots/medicaitions as long as we read the order and verify it. For MA they some one should verify their meds prior administration by licensed person like nurses like "us" not giving meds without verfication. :)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

CMA are not nurse. Literally they are medical assistant that are certified.

In this specific OP, 'CMA' is referring to a certified medication aide, not a medical assistant.

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

Congrats on continuing your education to become an LPN. I agree with PP to know and understand your nurse practice act. I am blessed to work in a facility with a few QMAs ( qualified medication aides) and they have been there for > 10 years and they are great! They know exactly what they can do and what the nurses have to do. That's probably why they've been there so long. They pull the med sheets and the insulins and bring them to the nurse they're working with to give them. They know what they can do and that's the key! You can't let other people's behavior "Get to You". Just deal with it appropriately and move on. Don't internalize it and get upset. It's so not worth it.

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