Medication Nurse Assistants

[K205]

Hi everyone. I just found out that an MNA will be working on our 50 bed LTC unit:eek: ! Has anyone worked with an MNA? I'm a new LPN, just got used to passing meds to 25 pts, and am really on the fence about this. On one hand, I'm disgusted that I spent 13 G's obtaining my LPN, and struggled through a tough Pharmacology course :angryfire . On the other, maybe this will be a help. I really like working alone on my side. I keep people(LNAs, residents, visitors) around my cart at a mininum, cause I find it distracting. Am I going to be constantly bumping into the MNA? How does it work? BTW, there has been NO mention of an orientation for the nurses in regards to this. Oh, and the MNA will be earning 3 dollars an hour more than I do. Hmmm. any feedback will be welcome:) .

[Bipley]

No a nurse!!!

I never advocated ANYONE other than a nurse giving meds. What I explained throughout this thread is that it is going to happen. They are eventually going to take away passing meds from nurses. When they do that would you prefer a mna or a cpht give them? **IF** the trend continues and nurses don't pass meds anymore, who would you rather do it if it isn't a nurse?

I darn well want the person to have a good solid understanding of the drugs and what they are for, side effects to watch for, etc. A mna isn't it.

[tiffanycmt]

I work as a mna and i DO NOT get even close to the pay as a lpn/rn i make 10 bucks and hour that is only 50 cent's more then a cna makes. Also I am NOT allowed to do any kind of iv's the only injections i can give is insulin and only some facilitys utalize us in that way we are allowed to give neb tx's but again it's up to the facility.

[AgriWoman]

I know this thread is older, but I found it very interesting as an "old lady new to nursing".

This is Wisconsin's required education for Certified Medication Assistant:

68 hours of lecture, practice labs, and 40 hours of clinical which takes place with a registered nurse preceptor at the student’s work site. The student is required to have worked a minimum of 40 hours, within the last 90 days, with the residents to whom the student will be administering medications. 2000 hours working as a CNA.

Additionally, CNA's must:

1. Be recommended in writing by the Director of Nursing and Administrator of the agency in which the student will be working during the clinical experience
   
2. Be recommended in writing by two (2) Licensed Charge Nurses, one of who must be a Registered Nurse.
   

Food for thought...

Chris

[kemper1974]

I have IV infusions for my rheumatoid arthritis at my Dr. Office, They are all MA's, starting IVs, mixing infusions and treating reactions. It;s legal in Florida in an outpt. setting. Too bad they canever get the iv's in. I always have one of my coworkers put a saline lock in before Igo to the office (haad to get it cleared with administration, and buy my own iv caths from the rheumey's office)