Nursing Issue - Medication Aides

[M&MRN2005]

Hi. I am new to the post. Very shortly a bill will be presented to our legislation on Medication Aides for my state. I am looking for some feedback regarding these aides. I know other programs have been implemented in many other states. How is it working? What are the current problems? Where can I go to find out more information?

In my state they will be mandatory in non-health focused care settings such as: schools, prison, assisted living, daycares, and group homes. The health focused areas are: long term care facilities, rehab centers, home health, hospice, public health depts., clinics, and acute care settings. However, some say it optional for health care facilities. The training is 24 hours. I feel this is very dangerous. It is being implemented to help alleviate some of the nursing shortage we will experience in the near future. Plus, a lot of these med aides already work in some of these facilities and there has never been any formal training. How they were hired is beyond me, but now there is a need to train these individuals. The only requirement to date is: 21 years old and a high school graduate. No prior medical experience. Scary!!!

I am looking for information on how programs of this type are working in other areas? Any problems experienced with the program? Is there an increase in med errors? Where I can go to gather more information?

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

yes i draw blood but NO It's not illegal i am phlebotomy certified seperate class nothing to do with being a med tech

I draw blood as a tech, and it isn't illegal. In fact, we have not covered it in nursing school, so it isn't even really a nursing duty. Studying the skill of inserting needles is not what phlebotomy is all about.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

This thread definately has been a real eye-opener.

I'd like to thank those that think that med passing is not a big deal, that think it's ok to be refered to as a charge nurse when you're not a nurse, and think that pharmacology was a breeze (HA!!!). That is even more motivation for me to work harder to get this dangerous practice stopped.

[Kalico]

Exactly. I find it humerous that txmustang is criticizing nurses, but her posts are so confusing and unreadable that I really have no idea what she is saying.

I'm glad to know I am not the only one.:rotfl: I think it is real odd that people who can't even type sensibly criticize nurses. I also like it when they give advice without knowing what they are talking about. That can cause some mighty dangerous situations.

[tiffanycmt]

I'm glad to know I am not the only one.:rotfl: I think it is real odd that people who can't even type sensibly criticize nurses. I also like it when they give advice without knowing what they are talking about. That can cause some mighty dangerous situations.

I have also read tx's posts and have decided to leave them alone. However I did NOT say that passing med's was a "breeze" it is far from that. But I just hope that comment wasn't directed @ me. I did NOT criticize any nurses I happen to have alot of nurses as close friends whom i have alot of respect for. But just like any field you have the good with the bad.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

I have also read tx's posts and have decided to leave them alone. However I did NOT say that passing med's was a "breeze" it is far from that. But I just hope that comment wasn't directed @ me. I did NOT criticize any nurses I happen to have alot of nurses as close friends whom i have alot of respect for. But just like any field you have the good with the bad.

I specifically directed my comment to txmustang, actually-but proper punctuation and English skills go a long way, especially when criticizing other people's intelligence.

[tiffanycmt]

Well I figured that and obviously this person isnt being serious at least i hope not. However, my punctuation isn't always the best and my spelling needs some improvement but i dont think that makes me un intelligent.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Well I figured that and obviously this person isnt being serious at least i hope not. However, my punctuation isn't always the best and my spelling needs some improvement but i dont think that makes me un intelligent.

Actually, I think txmustang is serious. Tiffany, this is why we are worried. There are people out there that are serious, and for goodness sake, what is she saying??? I have typos as well, and I never implied that you were unintelligent. You may be a little paranoid though, which I can understand because it may seem like everyone (in this post) is out to get you. We are on your side. You are being used, and you seem like you would make a good nurse, so go do that. The field needs you. But don't always take what we are saying as an attack. Relax; we know you do a good job.

[Kalico]

I have also read tx's posts and have decided to leave them alone. However I did NOT say that passing med's was a "breeze" it is far from that. But I just hope that comment wasn't directed @ me. I did NOT criticize any nurses I happen to have alot of nurses as close friends whom i have alot of respect for. But just like any field you have the good with the bad.

No this post was not directed at you at all.

[Kalico]

Actually, I think txmustang is serious. Tiffany, this is why we are worried. There are people out there that are serious, and for goodness sake, what is she saying??? I have typos as well, and I never implied that you were unintelligent. You may be a little paranoid though, which I can understand because it may seem like everyone (in this post) is out to get you. We are on your side. You are being used, and you seem like you would make a good nurse, so go do that. The field needs you. But don't always take what we are saying as an attack. Relax; we know you do a good job.

CardiacRN2006 is right, you are being used Tiffany. The facility that you are working at is taking advantage of you and if it is found out you could lose your ability to gain a nursing license in the future. You seem like you would make a great nurse from what you say in your posts. You sound very intelligent and a few typos do not change that fact.

On the other hand, there is a HUGE difference between a few typos and not being able to spell or speak clearly in any way, shape, or form. Txmustang cannot spell or type and it goes beyond making a few typos. I can't understand one thing that she is trying to say. She gives advice without knowing her facts and criticizes nurses. What really worries me about this is that, according to her, her family has nurses in it. She should know a little about nursing, especially with her being a med aide as she says. People like her do a lot of damage to our profession.

[begalli]

People like her do a lot of damage to our profession.

Not to mention potential damage to patients.

If one can't spell, how do they know the difference between digoxin and dilantin; Flomax (beta-blocker and albuterol) and Volmax (bronchodilator); mg and mcg; and so on.

:stone

[Kalico]

Not to mention potential damage to patients.

If one can't spell, how do they know the difference between digoxin and dilantin; Flomax (beta-blocker and albuterol) and Volmax (bronchodilator); mg and mcg; and so on.

:stone

Thank you!:) I was thinking that but it's late and I guess my brain didn't connect with my fingers at that moment so the thought didn't make it onto the board. :chuckle

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

remember not all people who log on here are who they say they are. we do have those who log on in a guise to merely throw fuel on a fire. what fun would it be to log on and pretend to be a medication aide with bad spelling and worse grammar - have a "go" at the nurses and then fade into the woodwork having fed into a stereotype?

now for all of you concentrating on the behaviour of one poster who may or may not have been who or what they said they were please remember the terms of service that you agreed to when you signed up - no flaming. that includes personal attacks and personal comments.