MA saying she's "the same as an RN"

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At my job, we are offered classes each month for our CEU's as LNA's. We were at one the other day for some psych training, and we were asked what we wanted to be doing in 5 years. Myself and another woman said that hopefully we be all graduated and working as RN's, since we're both in nursing school.

Another woman said that she was graduating next week from an Medical Assistant program, and how it was "exactly the same as being an RN", but she got her degree faster, but won't get the same money (and she proceeded to b!tch about that).

Now, I've seen the debate here in the General Nursing discussion, but this just chapped my rearend. I think MA's are great - as are LNA's and LPN's and RN's and everyone that works in healthcare. A friend of mine is an MA, but she does not pass herself off as a nurse. Another friend is a Surgical Tech, and while she doesn't say she's an RN, her son calls her a nurse, saying his mom told him she did "more" nursing in the OR than the nurses do. I've corrected him twice about it, but don't anymore. It just bugs me that I'm busting my hump to become an RN, yet anyone that works in healthcare feels they can call themselves one.

I'm so careful, I don't even call myself an SN while at work, and don't call myself an LNA while in clinical!

I don't know why people can't be proud of what they are. Some of the best tips and knowledge I've gotten on the job has been from the LNA's, many of which are career LNA's. THey're damn good at what they do! It's bothersome that some feel it all comes down to you're either a nurse, or have to claim to be one to be recognized.

Anyway, I kept my mouth shut when this LNA/MA was going off, but I so wanted to say, "So if you're the same as an RN, why won't the hospital or the state recognize you as one? Why? Because you aren't. You may as well call yourself an astronaut. You aren't one of those either!"

Okay, back to the regularly scheduled programming.

Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

delegated all their responsibilities?

sure.....:lol2:

I can guarantee you that any one of those RN's would have LOVED to have been in there with you doing what the MA's were doing! I left "bedside" nursing (in the hospital) because there was little to no bedside and just mounds of paperwork and admin.

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I have a question. I just started a MA program at kaplan. I was told that being a MA is a step to becoming an RN. Just wondering if this was wrong information I was given. Looks to me that being an LPN is closer to the RN Program. Just wanted some advice before I spend the 14 thousand to become a MA...Thanks to whoever can help...

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Specializes in Maternity, quality.
I have a question. I just started a MA program at kaplan. I was told that being a MA is a step to becoming an RN. Just wondering if this was wrong information I was given. Looks to me that being an LPN is closer to the RN Program. Just wanted some advice before I spend the 14 thousand to become a MA...Thanks to whoever can help...

If your ultimate goal is to become an RN, going for the LPN is a much wiser path. Very few, if any, of the MA courses would transfer to an RN program.

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.

Yeah...MA will not go into an RN. Also most classes from Kaplan will not transfer to any other school. A girl I went to nursing school with got her MA at Kaplan, got done and then found out they were not accredited...she could not even get certified...talk about a waste of money. I would go for your LPN if you want to be an RN.

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I have been a CMA for 8 years and I would highly suggest to get out now if you still can. I am now about to begin the RN program. I did enjoy being a CMA but would have done differantly had I known. It really is a dead end there is not really anywhere to move up so you'd be better off taking your prereqs instead for RN or LPN, that give you a lifetime of opportunity.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

Now I know the 2 year programs are an Associate's Degree but not in Sciences its in Administration. BIG DIFFERENCE! MA as a step to RN? Yeah the admisions people tell you that but then you ask if anything transfers and you realize that the answer is NO. The Nursing program I am applying into instists that you have a CNA before you can apply, even if you have a MA, mainly because the basics of patient care fundamentals start at the CNA level. Thats why they are called Nurse's Assistants

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This has been an interesting thread. I went to the clinic yesterday because I woke up with vertigo. Anyway, I asked the "nurse" whether she was an RN or LPN. She said that she was a MA. We actually discussed the pros and cons. She chose MA because she did not want to work in a hospital, not even for clinicals so MA was perfect for her. She also compared herself to an LPN and NOT an RN.

My daughters' stepmom is in a MA program. I didn't really know what a MA did until yesterday. I didn't understand why anyone would make that choice over nursing, but everyone has their own personal preferences and chooses their career accordingly.

I don't really have a problem with MAs being referred to as nurses. It's just easier than trying to explain what a MA really is. It's like me calling my dad and his girlfriend "my parents". Did she give birth to me? No but she fits the role of a parent so it's easier to just group her in with him.

Just my :twocents:.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.
This has been an interesting thread. I went to the clinic yesterday because I woke up with vertigo. Anyway, I asked the "nurse" whether she was an RN or LPN. She said that she was a MA. We actually discussed the pros and cons. She chose MA because she did not want to work in a hospital, not even for clinicals so MA was perfect for her. She also compared herself to an LPN and NOT an RN.

My daughters' stepmom is in a MA program. I didn't really know what a MA did until yesterday. I didn't understand why anyone would make that choice over nursing, but everyone has their own personal preferences and chooses their career accordingly.

I don't really have a problem with MAs being referred to as nurses. It's just easier than trying to explain what a MA really is. It's like me calling my dad and his girlfriend "my parents". Did she give birth to me? No but she fits the role of a parent so it's easier to just group her in with him.

Just my :twocents:.

it bothers me more than i care to even say. i have give up my life for two years, poured my blood, sweat, tears, money and sleep into nursing school. i am EARNING the right to call myself a nurse.

i am not saying MA's dont work hard. but they are not nurses. they have equally earned the right to call themself a medical assistant.

would you be super happy with PA or NP who presented themselves falsely as a doctor, because in their eyes "its the same thing?"

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Specializes in Many.

Im a lvn and have worked as an MA when I first entered the health field. You basically do what the doc says. As an LVN for over 5 years now starting the R.N. program advanced placement, we take prereqs that all tie up at the end. I'd like to see a MA memorize and know the physio of the body, let alone drug calculations, what to look for or what to do in an emergency. It all boils down to " CRITICAL THINKING".

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Specializes in Icu.

MA -RN.....looks like she working as an RN in her dreams...

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Specializes in Trauma.

I don't really have a problem with MAs being referred to as nurses. It's just easier than trying to explain what a MA really is. It's like me calling my dad and his girlfriend "my parents". Did she give birth to me? No but she fits the role of a parent so it's easier to just group her in with him.

Just my :twocents:.

Actually, it 's like comparing apples and oranges. One has a lengthy education and the opportunity to move forward in their profession and the other does not. I don't have an issue with the MA, but when they don't correct people, I do. It looks bad on the profession, as they don't have the same skills set. And what if they make a mistake?

I thought there is a law that protects the definition and who can call themselves a nurse? Ie. baby nurse. If you don't hold the license, then don't pretend to hold one. It's quite simple, yet b/c there is "clout" and "pride" with our title, people ride it. When I graduated nursing school, people starting calling me a nurse. I continued to say "no, I'm a graduate nurse". Now, it is official. I am a registered nurse and rightly proud to call myself a nurse:)

I too have seen PA's presenting themselves as the MD. I saw it with my own eyes in NYC while I was in school.

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To me, here is the big difference:

Medical Assistants are not a recognized profession in most states. There is no state exam, there is no registration, there is no license to be got, etc. Unlike a CNA that does have a state exam and is registered as well as regulated.

The "certification" is given by each individual school by whatever criteria that they set.

There are for-profit schools that have been charging $50,000 for MA programs, only for these people to find out they are lucky if they can get a job and make more than 8 bucks an hour.

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