Please tell me this isn't normal

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi, I am a new CNA and have a question. I just got a job at an ALF and am a medication tech. I pass my medication to 35 people and I am also the only one for patient care. My co-workers say this is not an ALF but half ALF and half nursing home. My co-workers are all seeking other jobs. The long timer has been there 6 months. We are told that we cannot provide patient care while doing the medication cart but no one else is there to do patient care. We respond to call bells frequently (we have to run to the main building to turn off the alarm and see what room number is calling)which causes more delay in getting our meds done. The residents' families are complaining that their loved ones are soaked and dirty when they visit and the supervisor gets on us and tells us we have to do better but how can we? Is this normal? I really want to provide patient care but feel like we are negligent but I can't be everywhere and I am stressed and wondering if I made the right decision in being a CNA. Can someone tell me what is normal?

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No!

It is unsafe.

Even nurses, who have far far more medication education, have to fight against distractions while passing meds to prevent dangerous errors.

For example, blood pressure meds are not given just because they are scheduled, but require much thought about the pt as a whole as to whether or not they need to be held...

Or a lot of meds need to be halved. I'd hate to be so distracted that I forgot to do this and double dose my pt.

What about being so rushed and distracted that meds are given to the wrong pt?

So many things can go wrong.

You just don't know what you don't know and I would fear harm would come to a pt due to lack of knowledge, time constraints and distractions.

Get out.

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Nope, NOT normal and I would not subject yourself to that. It's a dangerous situation. THere's a reason why nurse duties (and those shared by med aides/techs) and regular patient care positions are usually separate, and when they aren't and a nurse/tech is expected to do it all, it is for a much, much smaller number of people.

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In California, that's against the law.

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It sounds dangerously understaffed. I would find a new job ASP and I would also consider reporting the facility. I don't know if what they are doing is technically illegal, but it is immoral.

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Dangerous and unlawful!

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I'm not a CNA yet but I'm currently taking the class now. If I'm not mistaken (correct me if I'm wrong), CNA's aren't suppose to distribute medication...This is what my instructor has been telling us. So If I'm right, that's a violation in itself. Your situation at work seems very wrong. If I were you I would find an other job asap.

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As everyone else has said - atypical, unsafe, probably unlawful & might even be fattening. :eek:

If your most senior co-worker has been there 6 months, you've got you a baddie. I'd be looking elsewhere if I were you.

Incidentally, if patient safety is compromised, AFAIK (for sure in California, probably true elsewhere) as a CNA you're a mandated reporter & have an obligation to report these incidents to local law enforcement or the ombudsman.

----- Dave

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Thanks everyone. I am actively seeking another job now. According to my supervisor, she is very proud of the fact that we are properly staffed and blames us for not doing our jobs.

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I could be wrong but I believe that they are in violation of the OBRA 87 act. There are staff to patient ratios in LTC and ALF. Sounds like there are quite a few violations going on. I'd report them.

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I'm not a CNA yet but I'm currently taking the class now. If I'm not mistaken (correct me if I'm wrong), CNA's aren't suppose to distribute medication...This is what my instructor has been telling us. So If I'm right, that's a violation in itself. Your situation at work seems very wrong. If I were you I would find an other job asap.

The OP said they were a med tech, so yes. CNA can pass meds, in certain states... given that we have passed a med tech class and a state test.

On topic: That's really scary. I'd find a different place. Their turnover seems really, really bad. There are a few places in my area that are ALWAYS looking for CNAs. Even as a desperate and unemployed new CNA last year, I didn't even try applying because my clinical site was already a nightmare and I wasn't about to go experience another one.

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Specializes in none.
Hi, I am a new CNA and have a question. I just got a job at an ALF and am a medication tech. I pass my medication to 35 people and I am also the only one for patient care. My co-workers say this is not an ALF but half ALF and half nursing home. My co-workers are all seeking other jobs. The long timer has been there 6 months. We are told that we cannot provide patient care while doing the medication cart but no one else is there to do patient care. We respond to call bells frequently (we have to run to the main building to turn off the alarm and see what room number is calling)which causes more delay in getting our meds done. The residents' families are complaining that their loved ones are soaked and dirty when they visit and the supervisor gets on us and tells us we have to do better but how can we? Is this normal? I really want to provide patient care but feel like we are negligent but I can't be everywhere and I am stressed and wondering if I made the right decision in being a CNA. Can someone tell me what is normal?

It's not normal, get out of the place.

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