What do you do about MA, GNA, etc calling themselves nurses?

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Ok, we have all known someone who calls themselves a "nurse" when they are an MA, GNA, tech, etc. What do you do when someone calls themselves a nurse and you know/suspect that they are not? Do you call them on it? Point out that they are breaking the law? Ask them what nursing school they graduated from? Ask if they are an RN or LPN/LVN? Or, do you just let it slide?

Do you correct patients, doctors who call aides or techs "nurse"?

Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

First, torture (it's my right as a real nurse). Then, confession (never fails). Then, it's off to the gallows and they have to tie their own noose. :twocents:

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I don't think we really have that problem where I work. Our nursing staff will very quickly correct them with a, "You meant tech right?" or similar, but I've never heard any of the tech's calling themselves a nurse or anything higher unless it's in jest. Same as the nursing staff doesn't call themselves doctors, unless it's a joke. :)

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Specializes in School Nurse.

I went in to see my PA last week for a check on my BP meds. He wanted to tweak things a bit, and told me to come in once a week to have it checked - "You don't need to see me, just have a nurse check it" I know darn good and well that those wonderful ladies are MAs but could really care less. No doubt many people call him Doctor so and so - its right there on my pill vial label.

To me, I couldn't care less. Its their problem if they do something they shouldn't, not mine. I got over worrying what other people do or call themselves a long time ago :)

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For those people who DO care about this (yes, I am one), asking them what nursing school they went to isn't always the best question because some colleges have nursing programs AND MA programs, and CNA programs, etc. So the answer they give you wouldn't tell you squat! You should ask them if they are an LPN or RN to get the real answer.

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For those people who DO care about this (yes, I am one), asking them what nursing school they went to isn't always the best question because some colleges have nursing programs AND MA programs, and CNA programs, etc. So the answer they give you wouldn't tell you squat! You should ask them if they are an LPN or RN to get the real answer.

Good idea. I didn't think about that.

You know, before I could have cared less or not even have known the difference, but now that I have been working so hard to become a Registered Nurse....it bothers me.

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Specializes in School Nurse.
I don't think we really have that problem where I work. Our nursing staff will very quickly correct them with a, "You meant tech right?" or similar, but I've never heard any of the tech's calling themselves a nurse or anything higher unless it's in jest. Same as the nursing staff doesn't call themselves doctors, unless it's a joke. :)

Yep. I work in the school system and work with an LPN and 2 non-licensed health clerks. The health clerks are very careful to make sure parents don't mistakenly believe they are nurses - they certainly don't want anyone believing they are the nurse. Despite their best effort more than a few parents still come in the office and say "You're a nurse, right? Johnnie can't ..."

The funniest thing is that the staff at the school with the LPN have always called her "Doc". Does it bother me. Not in the least. Does she think she's a doctor? Hardly.

There are so many more things in nursing that need addressing, IMO.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Again, where is the "beating a dead horse" emoticon when you need one!? Someone posts about this just about every week! It's always a good idea to look through older threads on this issue than start a new one. .

Jess- my sentiments exactly. How's this icon?

:nuke:

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They always do that at the clinic I go to. I became more aware of it after I began nursing school. The girls are nice and all, but I don't appreciate MAs being called nurses. Everytime while I'm there, you can hear the people at the front desk saying "A nurse will be right out to speak to you" or something similar. That's all fine if they do their job right, but what if they mess up. Then there you go with people thinking "Those ***damn nurses don't know ****!" I've heard it before and its hurtful. I know there are some bad bunches, but to hear someone discount the whole profession is slander. I'm not working my ass off and going through financial trouble for all that...although it seems I am.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

Meh...some people like to 'step-promote' themselves.

Anyway, I encountered similar in radology whenever a dental tech came around. The girl actually called herself an xray tech. Well...she wasn't, actually. More like a d*mned dental tech. I wasn't offended. Point is, the girl was trying to question me. That irritates me.

'You forgot the shield...?"

"We don't use shields for this view. Two reasons: It obscures the anatomy and...our docs can't see through lead."

"Oh..."

:rolleyes:

*laugh*

It never angered me or any of the other techs. *shrug* Wannabe techs don't misrepresent themselves to pts. No, they just want to micromanage and tell actual rad techs how to do their job. A little knowledge is deadly in the hands of some.

It's just something that you laugh off. What I did required a degree of skill. I don't know what the heck dental techs do - but, let them shoot a 1-view panoramic mandible (set on 'auto', I'm on auto) and everything goes to their heads. Suddenly they're bonafide state and ARRT certified Radiology mavens....

*laugh*

...but nurses are 'different', I notice. Nursing is filled with 'touchy people'. What's that about?

*laugh*

I doubt that I will care all that much about the issue when I become a nurse. Seriously. Like, if it's against the law...well - do I have to remind them? Why?

Am I going to take this issue 'up the chain' or take them to court behind it? Uh, no...? So, I see no reason to get my bp up over it. If they misrepresent themselves to a pt and get sued, that's them getting into trouble.

However, if you do take issue with it...I dont get the probing. 'Well...what school did you go to?' ; 'Well are you an RN or LVN...?' ; 'When did you graduate?'

*laugh*

Why add drama to the situation? Why prolong it? It's not that serious.

If you know that they're not a nurse and it bothers you that they claim the title? Why are you talking around it?

Just ask them, "Why are you calling yourself a nurse?"

It's an honest, non-angry and FOCUSED question.

God, y'know -- I've been working around men for entirely too long. I shall miss that direct and succinct communication. Men tell you 'how it is' and how it is...is how it is. You don't have to guess with a man as to what the hell he's REALLY talking about. What he really means...

I can only pray that my future female nurse coworkers won't be 'typical'.

*laugh*

@CITYLIGHTS

You must be new to the world of patient care. You seem almost...surprised by it.

Pts talk about your imposter nurses. Hell - they talk about the real nurses when they leave the room. They talk about everyone...b/c you don't do things fast enough...or don't do something to their liking. They act as if they're at Burger King and everyone in the facility is their waitstaff.

Seriously.

When I was a tech, on 'nights' and 'weekends', we'd rig the intercom so that we could hear if anyone came to the front desk because we only had 1 tech on nights and w/ends.

Now, there's a sign at the front desk telling pts that 'there is only ONE tech in the building' and if they 'aren't available they are with a pt and will be with you shortly. Please have a seat'.

...but, pts paid no attention that.

I don't think that most even read it.

Let a pt go to that dept and not be 'serviced' immediately?

Meanwhile -- I'm actually in a room WITH A PT trying to finish. Come out to expose and...just listened...as the pt's in the waiting room did nothing BUT talk sh*t about 'that d*mned xray tech'! 'I wish they'd hurry the hell up...God...'

*laugh*

Oh, but - they're all smiles when you go in there, though.

See - it never occurs to most pts that...when you're busy? You're actually doing your job.

*laugh*

I mean, why would it?

Obviously, they're the only pt that came to the ER or Fam Prac that day!

*laugh*

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"Nursing is filled with 'touchy people'. What's that about?"

Trully I mean this with no offense, but as I was reading your message I just had to laugh out loud...were'nt you just being "touchy" about the dental tech in the exact same way that nurses are touchy about cna's, lpn's, other nurses, etc? Before you start pointing fingers take a quick peek in the mirror and you just might be able to answer you own question.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

It's an issue because nursing as a clinical profession is already misprepresented enough. I worked hard to earn my credentials, and I work even harder to educate people on what nurses really do. If an uneducated MA is giving incorrect (albeit illegal) medical advice and calling themselves a nurse, it hurts the entire profession, practice and goals of pt. care. It's not about being touchy or not, it's about health fraud being prosecuted as a felony.

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It's an issue because nursing as a clinical profession is already misprepresented enough. I worked hard to earn my credentials, and I work even harder to educate people on what nurses really do. If an uneducated MA is giving incorrect (albeit illegal) medical advice and calling themselves a nurse, it hurts the entire profession, practice and goals of pt. care. It's not about being touchy or not, it's about health fraud being prosecuted as a felony.

Exactly. People wouldn't be happy with some quack calling himself a doctor, so why is it okay for some random person to call themself a nurse?

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