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CMA vs LPN.. Who is the NURSE??



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Feb 07, 2007 10:40 AM

CMA vs LPN.. Who is the NURSE??


I work for a large company, we have everything from Office Assistants to RNs in our offices. I am an LPN and it bothers me that the CMAs in the office refer to themselfs as NURSES. They have often said that they dont know why I am there because they can do everything that I can do. This is not the case. They do everything I do but its not in their scope of practice and I made it very clear that I will not assist them in doing things that are not in that scope. I refer them to the supervising nurse and she assists them. I just dont like the fact that I went to school, worked hard, sweated through state boards and got my license and they call themself nurses. Am I right for feeling this way?


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4 Comments
No. 1
from donsterRN
Old Feb 07, 2007, 11:07 AM

Default Re: CMA vs LPN.. Who is the NURSE??
Of course, you're right.

It's been stated many, many times, on these boards and elsewhere, that it is illegal to represent oneself as a nurse, if indeed one is not a licensed nurse. Whether or not the individuals are practicing outside the scope of the law is an issue for the employer (who probably should read up on this issue!) and your state's BON.

Bottom line is: if one is NOT a nurse, then one cannot say s/he is.
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No. 2
from Haunted
Old Feb 07, 2007, 01:32 PM

Default Re: CMA vs LPN.. Who is the NURSE??
Can you help me out with something ? I am wondering what an LPN can and cannot do here in TN. For instance, can you hang IVPB, perform IV push , discharge or admit, assessments ? It seems like there are TONS of LPN's here, lot's of ads for jobs as well . Very few for RN's that I can see (maybe I'm looking in the wrong place ? ) Thanks !
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No. 3
from eltrip
Old Feb 07, 2007, 02:45 PM

Default Re: CMA vs LPN.. Who is the NURSE??
Double check with the board of nursing website, but I last read that LPNs can give IV push meds if they complete a special training course. In every facility I've worked, they've been allowed to hang IVPB meds. They can't start blood and do not do admission assessments (in my experience).

Places that rely heavily on LPNs tend to give the 1-2 RNs per shift a full patient load and then add on admission assessments & start blood for the LPN's patients. Irked the tar out of me.
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No. 4
from Haunted
Old Feb 08, 2007, 02:14 AM

Default Re: CMA vs LPN.. Who is the NURSE??
Originally Posted by eltrip View Post
Double check with the board of nursing website, but I last read that LPNs can give IV push meds if they complete a special training course. In every facility I've worked, they've been allowed to hang IVPB meds. They can't start blood and do not do admission assessments (in my experience).

Places that rely heavily on LPNs tend to give the 1-2 RNs per shift a full patient load and then add on admission assessments & start blood for the LPN's patients. Irked the tar out of me.
Wow, that is completely different for me! We always needed 2 licenses to start blood and only the RN can do pushes and hang IVPB. The LVN's can re spike a bag of NS with no additives, they also give PO and IM meds and the RN would co sign their charting. No wonder they will hire an LVN over an RN round here. Maybe I should look for another line of work....not too late to be a supermodel.
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