Discussion: Vocational Schools

NOW F OR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT:Discussion: Vocational Schools

Formal training at vocational schools and community colleges; focus on long-term care; certification only to meet state requirements

Education for acute care settings facility-based; no required educational standards or guidelines

Question #1

Is the following statement true or false?

Currently, strict standards related to the educational requirements are in place for UAP.

Answer to Question #1

False

Wide variations exist in the educational requirements for UAP. For example, OBRA regulations require a minimum of 75 hours of theory and practice, and successful completion of an exam in both areas, while in other cases, training occurs in a facility with no formal certification.

Certified Medicine Aides

Have worked in licensed nursing home settings, residential care settings, and adult day services in this country for almost four decades

RNs reported feeling pressured to delegate medication administration to UAPs because of inadequate organizational personnel and finances

“Handing over a crucial nursing responsibility under jeopardizing circumstances” (see Research Fuels the Controversy 8.1)

UAP Scope of Practice #1

ANA: 6 actions necessary to create a national and/or state policy agenda for education of UAP or NAP and competencies for safe practice (see Box 8.1)

No universally accepted scope of practice for UAP

Some states with task lists

Most facilities allowing a broader scope of practice than advocated by professional nursing organizations or state boards of nursing

UAPs completing tasks traditionally reserved for licensed practitioners, that is, medication administration

UAP Scope of Practice #2

In many settings, UAPs perform functions within the legal scope of nursing

Certain activities NEVER to be delegated to UAP

RN ultimately responsible for:

Analyzing information using highly developed critical thinking skills

Then using the nursing process to achieve desired patient outcomes

Regulatory oversight: regulation varied by state and jurisdiction