Medical Assistants are called "nurses"

[button2cute]

Hello, All

I am not sure it this a joke or not.:chuckle We were speaking to a medical assistant from Texas and they are called "Nurses". In addition, they give shots, pass out medications and do vitals. Therefore, medical assistants are called "nurses" in Texas.

I never heard medical assistants called "nurses". I thought they could work in the office, do vitals and place the patients in the room. I never knew medical assistants could replace nurses.

Would someone please clarified with me about this controverisal issues?

Thank you,

Buttons

[RedSox33RN]

I started a thread a while ago regarding the same thing. A co-worker was graduating as an MA, and said she was the same as a nurse. The thread is https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/ma-saying-shes-same-rn-132610.html here.

[silvienurse]

As for my doctor's office; when I call and ask to speak to "the Nurse" they always put the MA on the line who then never states they're an MA; they give shots, meds, VS etc. etc. I've even asked over the phone before proceeding with my question etc. if I was talking to the nurse and their reply was 'yes; how can I help you".......just my input

[smk1, LPN]

I find that most general practice doctors refer to their medical assistants as 'nurses' out of simplicity. The title 'nurse' possesses only 1 syllable that is very much easy to pronounce, whereas the title 'medical assistant' has 6 entire syllables. It is easier for the doctor to just introduce his front and back office assistants as 'nurses', even though they're not usually licensed nurses.

but it really is easy to say "my assistant will now____"... I don't think it comes from laziness, rather a desire to ease the public's concern about who is taking care of them. People have been familiar with the term "nurse" for generations, so they simply are taking that title (illegally) and using it because it is familiar and trust worthy. The Doc's are the ones who can put a stop to this sort of thing. Interesting that they do not.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I think for the most part they use it because it is shorter and easier to say

STILL not an excuse, and VERY dangerous. Nothing in life is "easy."