So I may be way off, but from what I read it sounds like a Naturopathic assistant can do, after 10 hours of training, what a nurse does after years of education. [h=2]Naturopathic Assistants[/h] [h=4]Senate Bill 1246 established Naturopathic Assistants effective January 1, 2011[/h] Definition:Naturopathic assistants (NA) perform technical and support services for licensed naturopathic doctors. They may perform certain medical procedures and technical support services under the supervision of a licensed naturopathic doctor. NAs are unlicensed. Supervising ND Responsibilities: Naturopathic doctors are solely responsible for training NAs and must be physically present on-site while the NA performs services. Scope of Practice:Naturopathic assistants may perform the following: Administer medication by intradermal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injectionsPerform skin testsPerform venipuncture or skin puncture in order to draw bloodAdminister medications orally, sublingually, topically, vaginally, rectally, or by inhalation, as well as give medication to patientsApply & remove bandagesCollect specimens for testingCollect and record patient data including blood pressure and pulsePerform simple lab and screening tests customarily performed in a medical office NAs must place a written order or standing order prepared by a supervising ND in the patient's medical records. Training:Training is solely the responsibility of naturopathic doctors. NAs must have a minimum number of hours of appropriate training:10 clock hours of training in administering injections and performing skin tests, and/or10 clock hours of training in venipuncture and skin puncture for the purpose of withdrawing blood, andSatisfactory performance by the trainee of at least 10 each of intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections and 10 skin tests, and/or at least 10 venipuncture and 10 skin punctures.For those administering medicine by inhalation, 10 clock hours of training in administering medical by inhalation. Training must include instruction and demonstration in: pertinent anatomy and physiology appropriate to the procedureschoice of equipmentproper technique including sterile techniquehazards and complicationspatient care following treatment or testsemergency procedureshttp://www.naturopathic.ca.gov/licensees/assistants.shtml
SC_RNDude 533 Posts Has 7 years experience. Oct 24, 2012 Yep, you are way off. These are some of the technical skills a nurse can do, which is only a small part of what a nurse does.