caye

I did not say ALL CMA's were qualified. I said many CMA's are. It is the same as in all jobs in our profession. There are many nurses that are not qualified as well. Where do you work? Are you in LTC? Caye

You don't have to worry, in Texas at least, CMA's do not work in OR's or anywhere in a hospital setting. Caye

Along with yours, the ADON, DON, Administrator, Executive Director, etc. Their butt is also on the line for whatever mistakes you make. Persoanlly, I enjoy assistance from anyone qualified (and many CMA's are) that can help make my job and life a little easier whether they are an LVN, CMA, or CNA. :) However, as ADON I left the position because I got tired of being on call and having nurses call with stupid questions and they just wanted to write that the ADON was notified thinking that that got them off the hook. (It doesn't) I mean really stupid things like telling me the admission was there and what do they do? They knew what to do when I asked them. Everyone above you, well lets just say their butts are on the line too. Caye

CMA's have a certification that is on the line. That is if they want to work as a CMA and not on the floor as a CNA. There butt IS on the line. Caye

Hello all. Now don't get upset at my comments. I am tying to post information. I live in Houston and the state of Texas has a Medication Program with required curriculum from the state that must be used in the Medication Aide Training Program in addition the pharmacology textbooks. I was the Program Director as well as involved in putting the program together and submitting it to the state for approval. It is a very lengthy process. The program must be taught by an RN and a Pharmacist. The class was 9 weeks and the students have to be CNA's employeed at a Long Term Care facility (Nursing Home); they do their clinicals where they work under the supervision of a licensed nurse. So, yes, there are training programs out there. My students learned pharmacology and all of the basics we learned in nursing school regarding passing meds. My students all passed and are working as CMA's (Certified Medication Aides). CMA's help take the burden off the nurses in nursing homes from passing po meds so the can concentrate on the tube meds, injections, BS checks, breathing treatments,documentation, assessments,etc. Caye

I hope this helps. For the RAI: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/quality/mds20/raitoc.pdf and for decubitus wounds: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/pm_trans/R4SOM.pdf Caye

In my nursing class, we lost a lot of students due to their grades or too many absences. Most nurses are terminated due to their lack of skills, too many med errors, and of course neglect of pt's. Also not being on time or being a no call no show is grounds for termination. Not wearing makeup is a new one for me. There are some cases of nurses and cna's having a body odor. I don't know if they just don't bathe or shower or if they have a physical problem. This has been my observation not only as a student, but as ADON of two facilities in Houston. Caye

No you are not overreacting and this is not the norm. :angryfire I worked for a physician and was responsible for contacting the patients to inform them of their result (normal or abnormal) after the physician had reviewed the results. Sometimes there would be a delay if the physician was out of town and not able to review the labs. if the results were normal, they would go in a stack of charts for me to call the patients which would manytimes be stacks of charts. Anything abnormal, the Dr. would write a note on and hand it to me to call the pt asap, which would place that chart ahead of the charts with normal results. Depending on if the other office nurse was out and I had to room pt's myself, then I would have to squeeze in the phone calls between rooming in pt's. To ease pt's minds, I would always tell them that I would call with the results, but if they had not heard from me in a couple of days to feel free to call me so I could pull their chart (from the stack to call) and tell them their test results. One thing to remember though; the nurse or Ma can't give out the lab or test results until the physician has seen them first and given instructions as to what to tell the pt. Personally, I always get a call from my Dr.'s office with results in 2-3 days. I hope this helps. Caye

You have great ideas. (Now, NOBODY TAKE OFFENSE). I especially like b) includes male nurses. Some of the best nurses I have worked with and have taken care of me as a patient have been men. Caye

Wow, I respond to a request for an "opinion" and get attacked. I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband, especially while you were trying to get through school. Of course you had to stop and take care of yourself and family. I admire all students. I know it is hard to raise a family and go to school, especially in this profession. While I was in school I had two rebellious teenage daughters causing me grief. My youngest daughter was 12 at the time and was running away from home constantly. I never knew where my child was. She was gone one time for TWO weeks and I didn't know if she was alive or dead. It was an extremely difficult time without school. I also know about dealing with death. Two years ago my sister died after an 18 month battle with metastatic lung cancer; last March my Brother had a GI bleed, went to the VA hospital, went into respiratory arest and was intubated and put on a ventilator and was brain dead. His heart stopped when they were preparing to d/c the vent;My Mother had Alzheimer's Disease and I was POA for medical care and had to place her in a locked unit. She also had Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, was placed on Hospice and died last August (5 months after my Brother). I have had to stop working to take care of things. One time it was for a year. I understand also about dealing with your own heath issues. I have chronic neck pain/muscle spasms and fibromyalgia. I'm not trying to whine or complain, just to encourage everyone. I just responded to a request for "opinions" trying to help the person that asked the question and I get sandblasted. I did not say that a better woman than you could have finished school. I would never say that. I am a caring and compassionate person; that is why I love nursing. I have been a member of this site for one day and tried to help when questions have been asked, but I don't know if this is worth it. Life is so hard as it is. I just want to work together. Caye

Boy I seemed to have hit a nerve. I was simply responding to "The Commuter" who asked for "opinions" and I was just expressing one. I repeat, I have worked with many LVN's that I have the highest respect for and would trust them to provide care for myself and/or family member without question because I know they are skillful, caring and compassionate. Of course all knowledge and skills are to be utilized or "proven". All Nurses should be competent. Sorry if I offended you; I was trying to be helpful to "The Commuter". Caye

I admire your dedication to your child. Being a parent is the hardest job in the world. However, you might consider working part-time or prn to maintain your confidence. You might be able to do this when you have someone to care for your baby like on a weekend. Regardless of when, do what is best for you. Most facilities would be happy to have you. There is such a nursing shortage all over our country. Good luck and God bless. Caye

The basic difference is that RN's learn more "theory" which of course takes more time in school. RN's can go into management positions; there are fewer management positions available for LVN's. I am an RN, but please do not any LPN/LVN's take offense. LVN's typically have more "floor experience" but not always, especially in Critical Care you must be an RN. As ADON of two facilities, I have worked with many LVN's that I had the highest respect for and would be comfortable and confident in their nursing skills and ability to care for myself or family members. I hope this helps. I repeat, please do not anyone be offended at my comments. I have the highest respect for anyone in the nursing profession as it is very hard and demanding work. (Excluding those few lacking skills and compassion to care for patients). Good Luck and the best to you. Caye

Bonnie HANG IN THERE! Not all RN's are like that. I am not. Try to remember that the nurses are shortstaffed and many are working 12 to 16 hours a day and are exausted and overly stressed. I see all nurses as a team. Once you are a nurse I hope you will feel differently. I had one student of mine call all nurses part of a "cult". :rotfl: :balloons: I have found a common bond and made many friends with other nurses through the years just from the fact that we are nurses and try to help each other. We want everyone to succeed. :cheers: I wish every student out there good luck and that they be very successful with their careers. FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS! HAPPY EASTER! :balloons: Caye