Are MA's and CNA's the same as Nurse? NO

[deleted]

Hello everybody! I am so sorry but I am going to go off on a little bit of a rant but who else will understand me more than other nurses!

Let me start of by saying I do not mean any disrespect to any of the awesome, hardworking Medical Assistants and CNA's in this world, but as for the MA's and CNA's that are either not proud of what they do (which I don't see why?) or are trying to deliberately fool everyone else into believing you are something else that you are not, you ought to be ashamed of yourself!

I am a nursing student currently dealing with the loads of coursework and sleepless nights to receive my BSN and become a registered nurse as I have always wanted to be. I am very proud of how far I've come and exited for what my future holds. Maybe I'll become a nurse practitioner? Or a physician assistant? Or a nurse anesthetist? Or maybe a travel nurse? I have no idea if I will continue my education after I receive my BSN all I know right now is I am going to be a nurse.

Unfortunately not everyone responds with the same enthusiasm as I do when I say I am studying to become a nurse. I feel people now do not know the difference between a MA and a RN and assume it is the same thing. SOME MA's do not mind this and instead love this and are proud to say they are nurses causing further confusion. THAT IS DISRESPECTFUL AND ILLEGAL! How dare you slap the faces of the millions of men and women who busted their heads open to receive that degree and worked so hard for to become an RN! (Again no disrespect to MA's and CNA's as I know you all have your own set of challenges as well, but understand that the path to become an RN is not easy!) This probably wouldn't bother me as much if I didn't get asked this question….. Why are you going to a 4 year institution if you could get the same degree in 9 months at (you know which institutes). OH. MY. GOODNESS.

I know this topic has been talked about a number of times and I usually ignore it but today has got me to a whole new level. Today I saw a medical assistant present herself a healthcare professional (which she is in my eyes) and advised TO NOT GET THE FLU SHOT BASED ON HER OPINIONS! If this is not completely against all healthcare code of ethics and a crime against all the advances science has made to save the human race in general I do not know what is! One simple lecture in A&P about the immune system was enough to convince me that vaccines are for the good, and here this woman that does not have nearly the sufficient training to give medical advice is spreading lies. In fact I do not even think RN's have the sufficient training to give such advice themselves.

Sure I am not going to be a neurosurgeon, but we all deserve some respect. I don't expect it, but I will not change my mind about becoming a nurse (:

Again I usually ignore this issue. As long as the medical assistant that checks me in and takes my vitals is professional and respectable (I am not insinuating that this is all they do), and the phlebotomist who draws my blood doesn't make me bleed out (lol), and the nurse practitioner or doctor who sees me is equally as respectable, I personally do not care what you refer to yourself as. However referring to yourself with the proper name says a lot about your character, but when you start spreading dangerous lies that is a whole other issue. Medical assistants and certified nursing assistants be proud of what you are and how hard you work! REFER TO YOURSELVES AS MA's AND CNA's.

Phew rant over! What do you all think about this issue? How about the men and women already working in healthcare settings is this just as big an issue? I would love to hear some stories!

I hope this does not turn into a debate about whether we should get the flu shot or not THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE lol, but if you actually read of all this thank you! :)

[hookyarnandblanket]

I do. My residents don't. They think I'm a nurse, and I tend to leave it at that. Side effect of working LTC - the residents don't make a distinction between CNA/LVN/RN, they just want someone to help 'em.

You'd have had a hemorrhage over one incident I had - I was doing a patient escort run one day, and a couple of folks commented on how nice it must be to be making as much money as I was (mind you, I was making $9.00/hr. at the time); some tactful questioning revealed that they thought I was a CRNA, so I explained the difference between CNA and CRNA (11 years of schooling, and $130K/yr. in pay). We got a good laugh out of it, and no harm done.

And - for the record, this CNA holds a Bachelor's in Computer Science, 23+ years of IT experience, has been accepted into an LVN program at a local CC, knows full well how difficult it is to get a BS in ANY degree field, and recognizes full well what you've accomplished. Further, handing out medical advice is outside the scope of CNA practice - did you report the person in question?

Kindly refrain from assuming we're lesser mortals because you know nothing about us besides what's on our name badges.

----- Dave.

Yep, my thoughts exactly. I have a BS in English and secondary education. I worked hard to get that degree and even though I may not be in the classroom any more, I certainly use my education everyday.

To the OP: Unless someone is deliberately presenting themselves as something other than their achieved certification, there shouldn't be such disdain and belittling. We are all healthcare professionals. People often make the assumption that if you are in scrubs, you are a nurse. Unless it comes up in conversation, there should be no need to address it or talk down to others. For patient with brain impairment who call us nurse, it is all a matter of semantics, and splitting hairs over a title with a demented patient is time better used somewhere else.

[Red Kryptonite]

I too am a CNA with a previous bachelor's degree. I came to nursing later in life and am currently in LPN school because that makes the most sense for me right now. As for your question about what we think..... I think you need to calm down and put your energy where it will do you some good. If you see someone practice outside their scope or do something you think is unethical, then report that, but for goodness sakes, I'm worried about your BP after reading that.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Closed thread per OP request.