Enjonel

I worked a couple years as a CNA in a long term facility. When you see the bedsore tape, realize you can make a huge difference and prevent them. You can keep people clean and dry, and make sure they change position, and alert the nurse to reddened areas before they become open areas. When you see an Alzheimer's patient, realize you can make a huge difference by giving them a familiar face and routine, that you can help them maintain their dignity by seeing they eat, wash, dress, and are clean and dry... you can add to the family's comfort and decrease their sadness by showing them their loved one will not only be cared for but will be cared about. You can offer hugs to distraught family members because they will come to know you, and you them. What you have gotten yourself into is an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. You have gotten yourself into an opportunity to make hard times a little easier. You have gotten yourself into helping someone to die with dignity and comfort, to help someone who is confused rest a little easier and to help someone who just needs some help to get it. I hope I do not sound like a polly anna. I've been in nursing my entire adult life... 3 years as a CNA (back then nurse's aides), one as a LPN and 28 as a RN. Any aspect of nursing is difficult, but there are few professions where you can make such a difference in so many people's lives, making hard times just a little better, and that is what you have gotten yourself into. Not to sound corny, but it is a noble thing. And Welcome!

I don't think the BON recognizes practicing under someone else's license :) Good heavens, if they did, we might all be doing it! I know I would have preferred not to have to pay for nursing school! She is not a nurse and should not be doing nursing duties... to me, that is like me getting a surgeon to show me how to remove a gall bladder, then I can do it under his license, and tell the patients to call me Doctor.... I encourage you to explore your options on this...I also would be wondering what the legal ramifications were for me working in this office, knowing this CNA is practicing outside the scope of her certification. You're the nurse... are you liable for her mistakes since you know she is practicing outside her certification? Are you considered in any way her "supervisor"? I think you are in dangerous legal waters...

You might try taking them to a pharmacy in your hospital; they might be able to identify them. We ask our pharmacy to identify patient pills all the time... If they can't or won't, you might ask them what your other options are... I would imagine if worse came to worse a poison control center might be able to identify them. Mary