mboyce

There are many tasks now being done by nurses that keep nurses from taking care of patients. By refusing to let go of them we make the problem worse. There are not enough nurses to do the work that needs to be done now and there are going to be fewer...

I entered nursing school in 1975 and have traveled and long and interesting path. Nursing is no longer something that I do, its something that I am and I am not troubled by other people needing to challenge what they don't understand . . . in fact it...

Youda, We are entering into the design porition of the CMA proposal; these two elements will likely be useful. Thank you. It might also be useful to point out that they will only be effective in supporting a nurse who chooses to not delegate a task ...

MarcusKspn, Having begun as an orderly and now serving as an MSN (after having served as an LPN) and having worked in a variety of settings, I understand what you say. You should consider entering nursing school. We need more like you in positions o...

MarcusKspn, I appreciate your observations and your frustration. You are contributing to our work to bring CMAs into nursing homes in NM. I have used some of what you have said in your earlier remarks in a fact sheet we will be distributing in suppor...

There is a difference between being responsible for giving a bed bath and giving medications, unless there is a developing pressure ulcer that is missed or doesn't get reported, or there are new symptoms, or there are changes in a resident's response...

Youda, you're getting emotionally defensive about this topic. Ignorance is only an absence of knowledge, not a judgement unless you meant or take it that way. I'm not arguing, trying to prove a position (you wouldn't have changed yours no matter wha...

Youda, indulge yourself; don't be spoon fed. The data is there . . . again, you are looking at accounts of people who describe direct success and their observations of increased nurse effectiveness. Look at the states they are from and go to the dat...

If this were only an academic discussion the con arguments might be reasonable but it's not, and they're not. There are residents in nursing homes not getting the care they need, right now, for several reasons: 1. There aren't enough nurses; 2. The n...

Youda, Not yet read a valid argument? You need to reread the postings, you're ignoring what people are saying. The problem is not the nursing shortage . . . the problem is umet patient needs.

Pamelita: I always ask for the patients no one else wants to take, it gives the others a break and makes me a better nurse. The advocate's choice is an expression of her confidence in you and of her own fear and helplessness. You can choose . . . she...

Youda, Unfortunately anecdotal accounts and data don't bear you out; taking your stand isn't working . . . for anyone. Nurses are leaving, fewer nurse candidates are arriving and while your approach may have worked at one time it isn't working now. Y...

Youda, I don't disagree with you . . . it just seems that it's time for new strategies. If you look at the membership (size and makeup) of most SNAs you will find that they don't really represent nurses in their states. Large groups are from the acad...

Youda, Re: your response that the RN (or LPN, please don't limit this issue just to RNs, it's an egocentric position especially in LTC) are responsible for actions delegated to supervised staff is an argument against CMAs; Do you have experience with...

I would like to ask a question or two of the nurses who are adverse to supervising CMAs because they don't want to be held accountable for the errors they might make. Who is responsible for the errors of the staff you supervise now . . . no matter wh...

I agree, nursing is exhausting; physically, mentally and spiritually . . . fortunately (and unfortunately) people depend on nurses to rise above the meanness and minimalization of others less willing to serve. I believe that the need generates the en...

With all due respect to those who want to blame these issues on administrators and money . . . these are only additional elements in a very complex situation. Many adminstrative staff including DNSs and administrators are nurses and a lot of researc...

I don't think that proponents of CMAs are using the nurse shortage as an excuse to justify the use of CMAs. The nurse shortage is a reality that forces us to deal with unmet patient and resident needs by looking for alternative solutions. To ignore r...

If the only issue were getting nurses to work in NFs I don't think that any nurse would disagree that currently, the best provider to pass medications to the institutionalized elderly is a nurse. Pragmatically the issue is more complex . . . not only...