When nursing staff ask for medications

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Specializes in SN, LTC, REHAB, HH.

This is becoming a routine thing with some of the cna's that i work with. they would come up to me usually during med pass when i really don't like to be bothered and don't have the time, with their c/o pain. can i get a tylenol, ibuprofen, its very annoying because i'm not there to take care of their needs. i don't feel comfortable in giving stock meds like m.o.m, or tylenol to staff when they should bring their own if this is occuring on a regular basis. i also don't like to see anyone go thru an entire shift in pain.

Is it ok to give otc meds to staff or should i just tell them no these are for the residents?

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Specializes in L&D/Postpartum/Newborn, Home Health.

I work in a hosptial so it's a little different situation but our pharmacy created a whole "employee med" section that is accessible pretty much to everyone-it has OTC meds for just about anything. They just ask that the employee sign out the meds so they can keep track of what gets used. It has been a lifesaver. Prior to that, however, one of our nurses brought in a HUGE bottle of motrin and tylenol(she got a buy one get one free package at a wholesale store and knew she'd never use it all before it expired) and she wrote "employees motrin/tylenol" on the bottle in sharpie and kept it in the breakroom.

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I give 'em a Tylenol, yeah.

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It is bad practice to give staff medication for any reason. First, those medications do not belong to you. Second, the staff member may have an allergic reaction to the medication that you have given them. Third, once you start with tylenol that can easliy escalate to stronger more serious medications such as antibiotics or narcotics. Fourth, you could end up loosing you license for practicing medicine without a license. Even if you are a Nurse Practitioner those staff members are probably not patients you would routinely see in your daily practice. I am sure you have worked hard to achieve your present position don't let anything jeopardize it. Follow your good instincts and just say no.

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Now Tylenol is a gateway drug?

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No, but you sound a little defensive.

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Specializes in LTC.

I see your point mkd.

But yes I do give them 2 Tylenols or ibuprofen or aspirins if they ask. Nobody works well with a headache.

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Specializes in adult ICU.

We have some stock meds, and if I have what they want, I'll give it to them. I don't feel like I'm in any position to police what anybody else puts in their body, and we are talking about OTCs here. I am not even close to concerned if it costs the hospital 2 cents. If it is something I would have to sign out of the pyxis, then no, I won't do that (We have to sign it out to a patient and they would get billed for it. I'd just say we don't have it.)

It's not usually a CNA asking where I work though, it's some poor resident that has been up for 36 hours that has had pizza for his/her last 3 meals and needs a zantac....LOL

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I agree we should take care of each other. I like what GrandmaWrinkle has to offer. Her facilities practice of having stock bottle for staff only is best, that way no problems.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
Now Tylenol is a gateway drug?

LOL! :smokin:

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I would send them to the pharmacy to ask. We have Pyxis, so I can't help them as it would cost a patient to give any meds.

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Just to be devil's advocate (as I have no moral high ground here whatsoever...)

Isn't that stealing?

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