chiropractor employee taking blood pressures

Nurses Relations

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So this is a new one....I was recently at a community event were I saw a table with a woman taking blood pressures and handing out literature. I got my blood pressure taken and asked her if she was a nurse. She said yes, she was the clinic nurse for the chiropractor she worked for. After further conversation, she told me she was neither a RN or LPN. She wasnt even a MA or CNA. Just someone working for a chiropractor taking blood pressures and passing themselves off as a "clinic nurse".

Just another example of how everyone is calling themselves a "nurse" without actually being one! Where does it end???

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I interpret that to mean if you just say "nurse", you have to mean RN. Calling yourself an LPN/licensed practical nurse is cool though =)

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I guess that's how I would interpret it, too.

I doubt it's ever enforced. So, if I am to call myself a nurse in Wisconsin, I must specify each time that I am a practical nurse? If I say "nurse" by itself, I'm implying that I am a RN? That's just asinine. I'm tempted to contact the WI BON and see if that's really what they mean.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I can't disagree with you!! I was an LPN on the way to finishing my RN and although I never worked as an LPN, when people asked, I can't recall going into technical detail!

I guess that's how I would interpret it, too.

I doubt it's ever enforced. So, if I am to call myself a nurse in Wisconsin, I must specify each time that I am a practical nurse? If I say "nurse" by itself, I'm implying that I am a RN? That's just asinine. I'm tempted to contact the WI BON and see if that's really what they mean.

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Just because the state nurse practice act says it is a protected title does not mean that the averge joe public is covered by that rule. Only those with a nursing license are compleled follow those rules. Unless it a state law, then it is not a protected title. The BON cannot force an unlicesed person to follow their rules. The only time they can go after the pulbic is if the person is IMPERSONATING an nurse and is falsifying their official credentials to obtain false licensure.

Wow...just...wow

Thanks to those who corrected this misinformation.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Just to put it in a different perspective, legally, it is assault and battery if a non licensed person represents him or herself as a physician or nurse and makes does an assessment or does anything invasive, for example, inserting a urinary catheter. It would be entirely appropriate to file a police report and to speak to an attorney. I know someone who had a situation such as that occur and the fake MD who did a pelvic exam received a jail sentence.

A chiropractic assistant who takes your blood pressure free of charge just needs to be educated and politely told that it is a misdemeanor to use a protected title such as nurse, at least it is in my state. I don't believe the chiropractic assistant at a health fair had an intent to deceive anyone or to provide a skilled nursing service and it is not very nice to create legal trouble for somebody who works for minimum wage.

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.
nu rn, I wanted to ask you a question, I am a CNA (Home Care) and I have interest in becoming a chiropractor's assistant. Is it hard to find employment in NY state? Is it worth it to take an online course? :wideyed: I have looked up some places that will certify you to become one, some ran by CCA and Chiropractors. I Just wanted some feedback. Thanks!

P.S No I don't want to be a nurse, bless you all :up:

I'm not in NY, so have no idea what the job market is like there. A chiro asst is essentially a med asst & as such there are no certification requirements that I know of (although employers may be more likely to hire those with cert). Since you are already a CNA, I would think it would be an easy transition for you & offices would be willing to hire based on that experience (but again, do a bit of research).

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Specializes in critical care.
Well chiropractors call themselves healthcare providers or even more laughably doctors , so what do you expect from someone who works for one

I have a spine condition and regularly see a chiropractor. Chiropractors do receive a legitimate education and serve a legitimate purpose in the medical field. It's a shame every field has its quacks, and this one in particular has slightly more peculiar ones.

Eta -

Grrrr...... I just realized this is an old thread. Disregard ☺️

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

What do you call an optometrist? Not an md but certainly a dr.

Well chiropractors call themselves healthcare providers or even more laughably doctors , so what do you expect from someone who works for one
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I would love to have a little fun with this! Test them on their knowledge.. Ask where they went to school... Things only us nurses know... Kind of embarrass her.. Maybe next time she will re think about falsely identifying herself... Kind of like those monsters that pretend that are in the military and then get called out by real military. If you wanna be something, be it. Don't take the easy route and lie to the public.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Just to make a couple of things clear and I am sure I will corrected if I am wrong. Chiropractors are medical professionals who go to school and pass boards just like medical Doctors. May of them also have prescription priviledges. The fact that some of them are crooked is also true but I have known just as many medical doctors who are just as shady.

Also at least in California a person does not have to be an RN,LPN, Ma or CA to take vital signs as long as they are only taking the vitals and reporting the results.

In some specific types of facilities mainly group homes in all 50 states under title 22 unlicensed direct care staff can pass medication with only an 8 hour training. Under the license of an RN.

The real issue here is that this person called herself a nurse which is illegal in all 50 states. Instead of making fun of this girl who probably doesn't know better why not gently tell her the truth?

I am seeing this trend toward real meaness in the nursing community and it saddens me.

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Just to make a couple of things clear and I am sure I will corrected if I am wrong. Chiropractors are medical professionals who go to school and pass boards just like medical Doctors. May of them also have prescription priviledges. The fact that some of them are crooked is also true but I have known just as many medical doctors who are just as shady.

There are far less MD/DO's who are shady as Chiro's. Yes there was a time where real doctors (i.e. not chiropractors) drew blood out of people thinking it would cure them. Since then they have actually moved on and practice evidence based medicine. A good amount (not all) of chiro's still practice bs medicine. That is why I would always trust a PT over a DC as they back up their treatments by real science.

But back to the point who gives a crap about someone taking blood pressures. Really it isn't that hard. And someone brought up what are they going to do with a BP of 210/110? They are going to tell them to go to the ED where a real doctor can see them. Doesn't matter whether that be a nurse or joe schmo on the street they will all send them to the ED. It's funny that Dan Chiro even rechecks them or would even do anything about that BP. Heck a BP of 210/110 who cares anyways? Not life or death. And yea I realize some of you will say it is life or death but thats only if they are stroking, having an MI, or their kidneys are shutting down. Otherwise go home and follow up with your PCP.

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There are far less MD/DO's who are shady as Chiro's. Yes there was a time where real doctors (i.e. not chiropractors) drew blood out of people thinking it would cure them. Since then they have actually moved on and practice evidence based medicine. A good amount (not all) of chiro's still practice bs medicine. That is why I would always trust a PT over a DC as they back up their treatments by real science.

But back to the point who gives a crap about someone taking blood pressures. Really it isn't that hard. And someone brought up what are they going to do with a BP of 210/110? They are going to tell them to go to the ED where a real doctor can see them. Doesn't matter whether that be a nurse or joe schmo on the street they will all send them to the ED. It's funny that Dan Chiro even rechecks them or would even do anything about that BP. Heck a BP of 210/110 who cares anyways? Not life or death. And yea I realize some of you will say it is life or death but thats only if they are stroking, having an MI, or their kidneys are shutting down. Otherwise go home and follow up with your PCP.

I'm curious as to how you make your assertion. How does one actually measure "shadiness"? Really, just yanking your chain. I don't really care how you qualify your comment. It's obvious that you have disdain for another profession because of your perceived reality.

KO

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