Ok, like I get it. I know why you are so defensive

Achoo!, LPN · Jan 18, 2007

As of yesterday, I am no longer a CMA, but an LPN. I completely agree with what you have said. Until they go through the schooling, one can only stipulate on the similarities/differences between the two. And there is quite a difference! On to RN!

scholar · Jan 19, 2007

My cousin is in MA school and all she does is compare my education to hers. I'm pursuing a BSN so I dare not compete or brag about nursing being better but she continually tells me that Ma can do this and that basically just like a nurse. I thought I was the only one experiencing this situation. I guess it wasn't a hasty generalization after all. It's as if their schooling suggest to them that they are better than nurses and its only sooner or later before they replace nurses.

My cousin said that there is now an asn and bsn for MA's labeled under health administration I think. I was sort of agitated with her constantly telling me this and that so I just told her that everyone knows something about what a nurse and doctor does. Not to many know about MA's. Nurses will 4ever hold a place in the hospital. She said nothing after that.

rehab nurse · Jan 19, 2007

i never posted to any of the MA threads before, but since i am here and have some experience with this subject, thought i'd add something i see in my state.

there are several MA schools in this area, and a few family members (cousins, in laws, girlfriends/fiancee of cousins, etc) have been interested in and gone through MA programs. i also had several friends who were practicing MA's. in all but two of these people, they all introduced themselves as nurses, even to family. i am the only nurse in my family, and there's one physician. we both tried to say ONCE that it's NOT the same, but we were shushed by family. it wasn't an argument, but just a clarification. hey, MA's should be proud of their education, as should nurses, as should physicians. we all contribute to helping people/caring for people.

what made me upset is their promotional materials. i even get some in the mail every so often. but in this material, there are so many references to "be just like a nurse in half the time!!", etc. they even had a long list of "tasks" that MA's can do "just like Nurses!!!". the schools (at least in this area) really focus on this. i remember one girlfriend of my cousin who just HAD to keep bringing it up that "I'm no better than her", and that's "she's just as smart, if not smarter than I am". i never said such things to her, so i don't know why she said them to me. it irritated me after a while, only because she would keep bringing it up. i don't like to talk about work at family functions, i prefer to just relax and connect with family i don't get to see often. thank god she's not around anymore!!

i have met/worked with GREAT ma's just like i've met and worked with great CNA's, LPN's, RN's, MD's, DO's, NP's and PA's. i just don't understand why the MA schools around here slam it into everyone's heads that the MA's are EXACTLY like nurses. they're not. we may do similar tasks, but why must we be compared? although our skill sets may overlap in some limited areas, it doesn't mean i can call myself a doctor. i wish we could feel good about ourselves as individuals and be proud of what we contribute to our patients at the end of the day. that's what's important IMO.

sorry if i offend anyone, that's not my intent!!!

burn out · Jan 19, 2007

The thing that ticks me off with working with MA's is that they are too busy watching and telling me what they think I should be doing as the nurse and then if I don't agree with them they run to the boss with Look what she did or didn't do(usually something petty). Must I have to explain to her that I didn't give the tylenol because the patient was in liver failure.do I have to tell her that..let her get and education like I did to find that out.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2007

you will find that this argument holds for all kinds of things. it has to do with the person's ignorance of the subject they are talking about. some people, in order to feel important, are dysfunctional and become blowhards about their positions. it's all behavioral. it's a self-esteem thing because they already feel so belittled and defeated. it's their way of striking back. you'll never get them to admit that, however. i hear lpns say terrible stuff about rns to make themselves feel better. i hear adns say things about bsns that make themselves sound like they are better. it's all about their self-esteem. eventually, you get tired of defending your position. these people often just don't realize that they are insulting others and making themselves look silly and stupid. what are you going to do? this is america and we are all free to speak our minds. you are not going to change their minds. it is heartwarming, however, when a loudmouth has an awakening and makes a 180 degree about change of attitude once they experience the other side!

Trauma Columnist · Jan 19, 2007

Daytonite - you are right on. I think that the MA schools are out to get a buck or two from their students so must publicize the positives about the job in order to get students who will pay their hard earned $$$ for an education that is no where near an RNs.

lorelei40 · Feb 12, 2007

some people, in order to feel important, are dysfunctional and become blowhards about their positions. it's all behavioral. it's a self-esteem thing because they already feel so belittled and defeated. it's their way of striking back. you'll never get them to admit that, however.

hmmm...sure glad nurses never do that....right..?! :barf02:

allnurses Guide · Feb 12, 2007

hmmm...sure glad nurses never do that....right..?!

you need to read the entire post . . . .

"i hear lpns say terrible stuff about rns to make themselves feel better. i hear adns say things about bsns that make themselves sound like they are better." daytonite quote

steph

CHATSDALE · Feb 12, 2007

i know that the private schools are something else...i know cnas who paid a lot of money for training that could have been achieved for much less at a state run school or for nothing at a ltc who have the program..

i have never heard of a ad/bsn in ma can these studies be transferred to a nursing school

rags · Feb 12, 2007

Who does an MA have to work under and who is accountable for their actions in the end? I am asking this question in all sincerity because I have never worked with one... we don't really have too many of them where I work. We do have a few Medical Techs that work in ER and on the Surg. floors but they have a job description similar to a CNA but with a few more tasks they are able to be delegated. But all CNA's LPN's and MT's work under the RN who is ultimately responsible for everything they do.

Is that the same for an Medical Assistant?

Achoo!, LPN · Feb 12, 2007

MA's are typically employed in clinics, and work under the physicians liscence.