"I'm an uncertified medical assistant"

[Freedom42]

I had a curious encounter at the doctor's office today. When I went in for my physical, a woman in scrubs came in ahead of the doc. She was wearing scrubs but no name tag. We hadn't met before, so I asked if she was a nurse. Yes, she replied.

I then presented her with paperwork outlining the shots I needed for school. As she looked over the paperwork, she volunteered that she was not a nurse but, in fact, a medical assistant. Oh, really? I replied. Where do you go to school for that? (I was genuinely curious.)

Well, she replied, she didn't go to school. She wasn't a "certified medical assistant," in her words, but "had a lot of experience." In fact, she'd been a CNA for 16 years, but this particular medical practice, as she explained it, "isn't like a hospital and doesn't care if you're ceritified." Hmm. Later on, the doctor sent her back to draw blood.

What would your reaction be? Obviously, she called herself a nurse, and she isn't one. (I wonder if she would have volunteered that info had she not seen my paperwork.) She called herself a medical assistant, then volunteered that she wasn't credentialed. I know nothing about MAs. Is that kosher? And what level of license does someone have to hold to be allowed to draw blood? (For what it's worth, this is the only person I've dealt with in many years at this doctor's office who wasn't wearing a name tag with credentials. Is there any kind of identification requirement?)

[LITTLEWITCHGIRL]

Ummm, Florence Nightingale worked really hard so people could GO TO SCHOOL to learn nursing. She was NOT in favor of uneducated people "nursing" the sick and injured. That was the whole point of her crusade. At the time, most "nurses" were poor, uneducated, and often drunks. She worked to change this.

No, I am not saying that at all. If you would have read the entire statement, I said that she had no right to say that. I do not think that an MA or CNA is to be considered a nurse. My statement was totally against the girl working in the office. I suppose I got a little off track with what I was saying and tried to address two of her concerns with one statement. My main point that I was attempting to make was that there are a lot of people working in the medical field. They all have important but different responsibilities. Society is lucky to have all of them. That is my point. I just get tired of hearing this argument. There is no reason for anyone to feel less important at what they do so that they feel they need to act like they are someone they are not. If this person feels that what she is doing for a living is not something she should be proud of and feels she needs to call herself a nurse to feel better, then she should spend the next two years in school to become a nurse. I personally am very proud to be a Medical Assistant. I do not call myself a nurse. If I wanted to be a nurse I would have went to school to be a nurse. This is my choice and I am very happy with it. I am sorry if you misunderstood my statement, I do hope this clears it up a bit.

[DusktilDawn]

Ummm, I don't recall saying that she was uneducated or that she favored uneducated people. I was simply making a point that she went to school for four months and then practiced nursing for four years while volunteering in the war where she instructed other woman in the "art" of nursing. Yes, she did work hard to improve the career of nursing. But she worked even harder to improve the health care from the doctors during the war which started her crusade to improve nursing. So, if this is how nursing started, with no titles of RN, LPN, CNA, MA or whatever else might be out there now, then we as society should not bicker about status. We should be thankful that there are people out there willing to do this job.

Thank you.

I'm not seeing where crissrn27 stated or implied that you said Florence Nightengale was uneducated or favored uneducated people. What crissrn27 was pointing out was that Florence Nightengale saw a need for formalized education and training for nurses.

I was simply making a point that she went to school for four months and then practiced nursing for four years while volunteering in the war where she instructed other woman in the "art" of nursing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightengale

http://elvis.rowan.edu/~kilroy/JEK/05/18.html

Nightingale's career in nursing began in 1851, when she received four months training in Germany as a deaconess of Kaiserswerth.

I highly doubt that it was ONLY the four months training that taught her all she ever needed to know about nursing, MORE THAN 156 YEARS AGO, in fact it no doubt made her realize how woefully lacking nursing training was. In fact, Kaiserswerth was the only place where ANY formal training was offered 156 YEARS AGO. 156 YEARS AGO when people didn't even realize the importance of handwashing to prevent the spread of infection.

What Florence Nightengale realized 156 years ago was that establishing FORMAL training was needed and necessary. What Florence Nightengale did was set STANDARDS for the training and practice of nursing, thus laying a foundation for modern nursing.

The defination of a nurse is not as simplistic as anyone who tends who tends to the sick. It's also a far cry from what it was in Florence Nightengale's time in history.

When patients hear the word nurse there is an expectation that they are dealing with a person who has a license to practice as a nurse and the educational background that goes with that license. CMAs/MAs and CNAs/NAs do no possess that background nor do they hold a license as a nurse.

It's not about "status" or "elitism." It's not about what one thinks they deserve to call themselves or what others think they should be called. When nurses voice their concerns about improper use of the title "nurse" it is not a put down towards CMAs/MAs or CNAs/NAs. It's about accuracy in representing who and what they are. It's fraudulent to lay claim to a license, title, and education that one does not possess. It can also be dangerous to patients, especially when one who misrepresents themselves believes their education is equal to or surpasses that of a licensed nurse.

[crissrn27, RN]

With all four of these main positions, they are all forms of nursing. The definition of 'nurse' is someone who cares and tends to the sick. Florence Nightingale was not an RN, LPN, CNA, MA or anything of the sort. She was a "nurse". She cared for the ill. Anyone who spends their lives helping and tending to society's sick is considered a nurse. We should be so thankful to have them instead of bickering over what they should and should not be called.

I did, in fact, read the entire statement. This is the part that confused me. You seem to be saying that it would be OK for a CNA or a MA to use the title "nurse" since "all four of these main positions are forms of nursing", and "the definition of 'nurse' is someone who care and tend to the sick".

I think we all agree that the person in the OP situation was unprofessional, I think she ended up claiming to be a nurse, a PA, and then finally saying she was a MA. But do you think other MAs, CNAs, etc, should be able to use the title "nurse"? You are a MA, do you intro yourself as the doctors "nurse" or not? If so, what are your reasons for the way you intro? Not trying to attack you or anything, just trying to understand your point of view.

I do whole-heartedly agree with your statement of being proud of what you do, be it MA, CNA, RN, or LPN, and not feel like you have to lie about it to be proud.

[reesern63, RN]

No, I am not saying that at all. If you would have read the entire statement, I said that she had no right to say that. I do not think that an MA or CNA is to be considered a nurse. My statement was totally against the girl working in the office. I suppose I got a little off track with what I was saying and tried to address two of her concerns with one statement. My main point that I was attempting to make was that there are a lot of people working in the medical field. They all have important but different responsibilities. Society is lucky to have all of them. That is my point. I just get tired of hearing this argument. There is no reason for anyone to feel less important at what they do so that they feel they need to act like they are someone they are not. If this person feels that what she is doing for a living is not something she should be proud of and feels she needs to call herself a nurse to feel better, then she should spend the next two years in school to become a nurse. I personally am very proud to be a Medical Assistant. I do not call myself a nurse. If I wanted to be a nurse I would have went to school to be a nurse. This is my choice and I am very happy with it. I am sorry if you misunderstood my statement, I do hope this clears it up a bit.

I got the same impression from your post--that it was OK for anyone who cared for pts. to call himself/herself a "nurse."

[lindarn]

I got the same impression from your post--that it was OK for anyone who cared for pts. to call himself/herself a "nurse."

I was in NY recently for my grandmother's 100th birthday (I wish that I knew how to post pictures on here- you should see Grandma- she looks great!). There was an add in the school section of the Newsday (local paper for Long Island-NY area), for an "Associates Degree in Medical Assisting". I have never heard of an Associates Degree in Medical Assisting, as an educational choice. I feel that it is rather misleading, as Profesional Registered Nurses also have an educational choice to attend an Associates Degree for school. Is there any wonder why Medical Assistants think that they are the professional equal of an RN? JMHO, and my Ny $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

[reesern63, RN]

I was in NY recently for my grandmother's 100th birthday (I wish that I knew how to post pictures on here- you should see Grandma- she looks great!). There was an add in the school section of the Newsday (local paper for Long Island-NY area), for an "Associates Degree in Medical Assisting". I have never heard of an Associates Degree in Medical Assisting, as an educational choice. I feel that it is rather misleading, as Profesional Registered Nurses also have an educational choice to attend an Associates Degree for school. Is there any wonder why Medical Assistants think that they are the professional equal of an RN? JMHO, and my Ny $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

I don't know if you remember those old advertisements in magazines for modeling schools that would say "Be a Model...Or Just Look Like One." That's what I feel like we're dealing with anymore. "Be a Nurse...Or Just Look Like One."

I am not saying medical assistants aren't needed. But they are not the professional equivalent of a registered nurse, and they shouldn't be trying to blur the lines.

[KellNY, RN]

I live in NY, and yes, one of the community colleges (that I know of) on the island offers an associates in MA. I know 3 people who got their degree this way, and ALL of them are very proud of being medical assistants. None of them try to "pass as a nurse". They chose Medical Assisting as their career. They don't want the title (and responsibilities) of being an LPN or RN, they're happy doing what they do, and proud to have a college degree.

Why would they go to the CC instead of a vo/tech?

In this case, the CC's degree is cheaper to get than if they went to a vo/tech (other than BOCES). The lab facilities are much nicer (more new technology, more equipment, better stocked, etc). The CC has stricter requirements of it's instructors.

It also takes only 2 years (4 semesters) and can sometimes be shorter if they take 2 PT summer semesters. Anyone who has their associates in nursing or knows someone else who does, knows that the nursing program is longer than that from begining to end.

Why would you assume the worst (that they're trying to look like a nurse)? I really don't get that.

[LITTLEWITCHGIRL]

I got the same impression from your post--that it was OK for anyone who cared for pts. to call himself/herself a "nurse."

:oHI, UNFORTUNATELY, YOU HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD MY STATEMENT. FOR THE RECORD, I DO NOT AGREE TO WHAT THIS GIRL IN THE OFFICE DID. I KNOW IT WAS A LITTLE CONFUSING BECAUSE I WENT FROM ONE SUBJECT TO ANOTHER. I DO APOLOGIZE. I IN NO WAY AGREE TO CALLING YOURSELF SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE NOT. I AM AN M.A. AND I DO NOT INTRODUCE MYSELF AS A NURSE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I GET THAT QUESTION A LOT AT WORK BY OUR PATIENTS. THEY WILL ASK, 'ARE YOU A NURSE?' AND MY RESPONSE IS, 'NO, I AM A MEDICAL ASSISTANT.' I HAVE NEVER MISREPRESENTED MYSELF AS A NURSE AND THAT WAS NOT MY INTENTION TO MAKE ANYONE THINK THAT I AGREE WITH IT EITHER.

I SUPPOSE WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY WITH THE WHOLE FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE STATEMENT WAS THAT THE MEDICAL FIELD IS EVER CHANGING. AND NEW POSITIONS ARE BEING ADDED ALL THE TIME, ONE REPLACING ANOTHER AND TAKING ON DIFFERENT ROLES. AND THAT SOCIETY AS A WHOLE SHOULD BE THANKFUL THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WILLING TO GO TO SCHOOL FOR WHATEVER POSITION IT IS THEY WANT, SO THAT THEY MAY HELP THEM. MY STATEMENT ABOUT TAKING CARE OF THE ILL WAS MEANT TOWARD THE GIRL WHO MISREPRESENTED HERSELF. I WAS ONLY SAYING THAT NO MATTER WHAT HER TITLE IS, SHE SHOULD BE PROUD OF WHAT SHE IS AND WHAT SHE DOES. THATS ALL.

[LITTLEWITCHGIRL]

I live in NY, and yes, one of the community colleges (that I know of) on the island offers an associates in MA. I know 3 people who got their degree this way, and ALL of them are very proud of being medical assistants. None of them try to "pass as a nurse". They chose Medical Assisting as their career. They don't want the title (and responsibilities) of being an LPN or RN, they're happy doing what they do, and proud to have a college degree.

Why would they go to the CC instead of a vo/tech?

In this case, the CC's degree is cheaper to get than if they went to a vo/tech (other than BOCES). The lab facilities are much nicer (more new technology, more equipment, better stocked, etc). The CC has stricter requirements of it's instructors.

It also takes only 2 years (4 semesters) and can sometimes be shorter if they take 2 PT summer semesters. Anyone who has their associates in nursing or knows someone else who does, knows that the nursing program is longer than that from begining to end.

Why would you assume the worst (that they're trying to look like a nurse)? I really don't get that.

THANK YOU. I NEVER EVER EVER EVER SAID THAT I THOUGHT I WAS A NURSE. OR THAT I HAVE EVER TRIED TO 'PLAY' NURSE.

I TOO WENT FOR TWO YEARS FOR MY ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN APPLIED SCIENCE FOR MY MA. MY REASONING WAS THAT THE WAITING LIST FOR RN SCHOOL WAS THREE YEARS. I DIDN'T HAVE THREE YEARS TO WAIT TO START SCHOOL FOR ANOTHER TWO OR MORE YEARS. BUT I LOVE WHAT I DO. I DO PLAN ON GOING BACK FOR MY RN IN ABOUT 1.5 YEARS AFTER MY DAUGHTER IS OLDER AND I HAVE MORE TIME TO PUT INTO THE EDUCATIONAL ASPECT OF IT. BUT FOR NOW I AM HAPPY DOING JUST WHAT I DO AND BEING JUST WHAT I AM, A MEDICAL ASSISTANT.

[reesern63, RN]

Would you please stop shouting.

Thank you.

[reesern63, RN]

I live in NY, and yes, one of the community colleges (that I know of) on the island offers an associates in MA. I know 3 people who got their degree this way, and ALL of them are very proud of being medical assistants. None of them try to "pass as a nurse". They chose Medical Assisting as their career. They don't want the title (and responsibilities) of being an LPN or RN, they're happy doing what they do, and proud to have a college degree.

Why would they go to the CC instead of a vo/tech?

In this case, the CC's degree is cheaper to get than if they went to a vo/tech (other than BOCES). The lab facilities are much nicer (more new technology, more equipment, better stocked, etc). The CC has stricter requirements of it's instructors.

It also takes only 2 years (4 semesters) and can sometimes be shorter if they take 2 PT summer semesters. Anyone who has their associates in nursing or knows someone else who does, knows that the nursing program is longer than that from begining to end.

Why would you assume the worst (that they're trying to look like a nurse)? I really don't get that.

Maybe it's not a problem in your area, but it is in mine.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Well worded. I also believe that while medical assistants are not trained to be nurses, we cannot deny that they are task oriented and contribute a great deal to the medical profession.

I like what you said about Florence Nightingale not being an LPN, RN, or whatever...she was a NURSE. I fight with the same issues being an LPN. I see how many post that 'only LPNs and RNs can call themselves nurses' however, I have been told as an LPN that I am not nurse enough. Our title evolved from World War 2, I believe; and that was also done to fill in a desperate need since most of the RNs were assisting soliders in battle. Before all of the fancy skills, ALL nursing was basic skills and nurturing. Medical assistants should not apologize for what they do anymore than LPNs, and the good ones should be proud of what they do.