As you could see from my profile, I work as a CNA in a medical office, we specialize in pain managment, while I'm going to nursing school (ADN). One of the women I work with is also a CNA and is going to school to be a CMA. Now, while I have done some research and know that often times, CMAs can perform many skills that nurses (both LPN and RN) can legally perform, such as administering medications, doing vital signs, and a few other things applicable to a physican's office, I also know that a CMA does not equal a nurse, neither LPN or RN.
The woman seems to believe that a CMA is the same as a PA (Physican's Assistant), which obviously it's not.
For example: Our lab (we do urine drug screens) was short handed one day and another of my coworker's daughters filled in for the lab. The daughter and the woman going to school to be a CMA were in the breakroom when the daughter asked what a CMA was. She was told that it was "one step below a DO," of couse, the girl didn't know what a DO is, and she informed her that once she's certified she'll be able to sign prescriptions... Sure, that's legal.
Now, mind you, the office manager was told of this and she had a "meeting" with the woman to clear up these "issues." But, she still thinks that a CMA is higher than an RN.
Anyway, I thought I'd reach out to some RNs and ask what your opinion is of CMAs in general, and things like if they should be made to think that they are better then RNs because they do medical records, etc. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks :redbeathe