Nurse told me to give Medication

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So as I posted recently I just started as a CNA. Friday was my third and last day shadowing one of the CNA's that already worked there and Monday I will be on my own. Well yesterday, I was feeding a patient that had been asking the nurse several times for medication and so while I was feeding, the nurse came in and put some medicine on the table that I was feeding from (I was actually done and was cleaning up at this point). It was a liquid med in a little cup and she told me to give it to her to drink and I said "Umm I don't think I'm supposed to give her that," and she said " No it's fine, just give it to her." She walked out and I was looking puzzled, but I know I cant do that so I told the patient bye and walked out. The nurse saw me when I walked out and was looking like "why didn't you give it" but she went in and gave it to her. Now the nurse is very very nice and polite and I know she was very busy but I CANNOT give meds. How do you guys respectfully tell nurses this when they try to get you to do this. Hopefully this will not be a continued problem there.

Specializes in Med-surg Telemetry, Leadership, Education.

In Oregon, as I'm sure is the case everywhere else, the only settings in which CNAs may LEGALLY administer medications is when working for a home health agency, or in assisted living. A CNA who becomes a CMA may administer PO, TD or TF meds in LTC/rehab facilities (no IV push or IV infusion). Period. Anything else is outside the CNAs scope of work (not scope of practice, only nurses, NPs, PAs, MDs, etc. have that).

You have no knowledge of what's in that med cup! Don't get involved, no matter how much you like/trust the nurse.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

What was the medication

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