MAs call themselves Nurses at my office..opinions please? - page 3

That the powers that be allow this to happen speaks volumes to me. In many states, what they're doing is ILLEGAL. Check the laws in your state

The BON doesn't govern MA's---they don't hold a license to be accountable to anyone for!

Unquestionably, this a delicate subject that I have encountered in many occasions throughout my nursing career. First of all let me warn you that by being the "NEW NURSE" you might be stepping on thin ice, regarding this issue. Furthermore, most doctors don't care if their MA's refer themselves as nurses.

For example, I worked long ago in N.Y. for a well known private practice and they offer their clientele a 24 hour "Triage Nurse service" to address their pt's concerns. Following this further, once the front desk transferred the calls or the automatic system did it said " Transferring your call to a NURSE" and the MA's always stated I'm dr.So & So Nurse how can I help you".

Admittedly, I brought my concerns to the 5 physician's and their two surgeon's, as well as the office manager. Having said that, I recommended that perhaps they should wear name tags that have the degree on it, such as RN, CNA, MA after their name.

Needless to say, my other 2 RN colleagues didn't back me up, since they didn't want to rock the boat per say. Evidently, to my dismay from there on I was looked upon as "THE RN" and every staff member began referring to me as "Mr. RN or Oh! the RN will speak to you now" etc. the MA's staff never behave the same towards me.

Consequently, I ended up resigning since it became a joke. Certainly, I was more concerned with the patients' health management. However, this private practice didn't see it that way,once the issue was brought up. Lastly, the last time I heard they hired another MA in my position once I left.

In conclusion, all I have to offer you is my own experience on this issue, and I wish you the very best in all of your future endeavors... Aloha~

I just think it's a shame people can't be proud of what they have achieved and wear the titles with pride. ANY job in this field is tough and should be valued.

I saw a news story last night about a PCT who was suspended from his hospital job for investigation of charges of sex crimes against patients. During the lead-up and story, he was referred to as a nurse, the caption on the visual said "nurse". This happened several times even though within the reporting itself he was also called a PCT. I was slightly disturbed. See no reason why the news media could not have reported this correctly.

The PTB do not respect nurses enough to set the example in making the distinction. If anything, they resent paying a nurse more than the MA's, if they pay a nurse more.

It's too hard for the physicians to keep with who's a nurse and who's an MA. I personally think the solution is to refer to everyone in the office as a "doctor." Don't want to confuse the patients with different titles, after all....

It's not about you, it's always about the patient. Everyone should check their Ego at the door, and just focus on the patient. Just focus on providing quality patient care. Who care if techs are called nurses. If you really want status, then go to medical school.

No they shouldn't. But I don't think they do it to one up anyone, or inflate themselves, I think it's just an unconscious thing, and the docs don't really help because they do it too...of course if an NP called themselves a doctor I'd like to see the temper tantrum that would ensue.

When I was an LPN we had to have a little talk with the clinic manager- everyone did, RN's, LPN's, CMA's and Providers and go over who is who and what is what. Honestly, though in the clinic CMA's and LPN's pretty much did the same things, with some small subtleties.