Medication Aide exempt?

[neuron]

Hi,

I wanted to know if anyone knew if a Medication Aide (certified) could be exempt from taking Pharmacology (in the state of TX). I am familiar with the concepts of adverse reactions and side effects of medication and routinely have to look up medications to verify what they do if a pt. asks. I am not special, but wanted to know if a college would give me an 'exempt' or unusual circumstance to exempt me from the hrs. taking this class. I was also a CNA for 2 years.

Thanks. Any answers are appreciated.

[Leonardsmom,LPN]

I am going to say probably not. There is more to pharmacology than just knowing how to look up a medication. My schools program requires that you have taken pharmacology no more than two years before applying for the program. I have known folks working as LPNS that have had to retake pharm when they decided to return back to school for their RN. Also at least with my program everyone is required to pass a medication math test to even be able to pass the class.

[ahosoda]

I doubt you would be able to be exempt from pharmacology. Pharm isn't just about memorizing drugs and their side effects. Its more about HOW drugs work, which you can't just look up in your drug guide whenever a patient asks. I was a medication aide and I only knew about 5% of the material covered in pharm.

On the bright side, you will probably have an easier time with the memorization portion of pharmacology because you have already been exposed to it and can put a face/disease/condition to a drug. I would always be like, "OH, Mrs. ___ took that because she had ___" and then I would be able to figure out the question from there.

[Miss Infermiera2b, BSN, RN]

I'm with the other posters. I doubt most programs have an exception to Pharm for that, but it certainly puts you ahead of your classmates!

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Pharmacology is not the same as medication administration. There is mechanism of action, half life, peak & trough, risk to benefit, contraindications, physiological effects, indications, anticipated effect and how to evaluate, relevant labs and assessments safe dose level, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, equivalent dosing, dosing calculation and more. The insulin types, actions,duration, indication, administration

I can't think of a single reason why a school of nursing (LPN or RN) would consider giving a CNA with a medication assistant credential credit for pharmacology.

[neuron]

Great. Thank you all for your responses.