Ok folks, I'm just about ready to lose it and I know it's a little silly..or it may seem petty...but just take my feelings into consideration.
I am SICK to DEATH of SOME Medical Assistants, CNAs, and Respiratory Therapists (etc.) calling themselves NURSES, or allowing themselves to be called nurses...or saying that they are getting their "RN". Are you KIDDING ME?
Before I start, let me begin by saying that I respect ALL health care workers and think you should be proud of what you are doing, going to school for, and what your title is. However, I have LOW tolerance for people who break the law and throw around a professional title/license. It's beyond ignorant and I'm wondering how it can be stopped.
I would NEVER in a million years, call myself a Doctor...or a Nurse Practitioner..because I am NOT one. I did NOT go to school for it. I am a Registered Nurse and PROUD of it. If anyone calls me Doctor, or ANYTHING else, I quickly correct them with a sweet smile on my face.
Examples of what I have heard/seen/witnessed/etc.:
" Can I speak to the nurse?" Medical Assistant" Speaking, How can I help you?"
" So excited for my first day of school, we did injections!" says the medical assisting student..friend asks "OH, nursing program?!"...medical assistant student says "Yep, sure is!".
"Nurse Sarah, when do you finish school?". Sarah says, "In 2 months"...Sarah is in a RESPIRATORY therapy program.
My friend says to me," I went to school to become a nurse and finished, but I decided I prefer Social Work." I ask, "Really, so you're a nurse, where did you go?" Friend replies "Yes, CNA Tech Institute".(fake name) Uhm, that's a well known 6 month CNA school. SERIOUSLY?
"I actually teach the nurses on my unit everything. I know more than them and have more experience.", says the Medical Assistant after I ask them why they are referring to themselves as "Nurse".
I can't even go on to tell you how much more I have witnessed. MANY of this is coming from my friends. I'm going to be REALLY honest with you guys. I am just heated. I worked my BOTTOM off in nursing school. I applied to a program with 600 applicants in line (which is STANDARD) and was accepted into ONE of 20 seats. I killed myself not to be flunked out and passed with an average 3.5 GPA. It was four years of GRUELING work and I feel I have earned the right to refer to myself as a Registered Nurse. I'm very proud of it.
I feel like other health care workers are SERIOUSLY making a JOKE of the nursing field throwing around the title as though we are a dime a dozen. Why can't they be proud of what they do? EACH of those fields is JUST fine..but WHY are you breaking the law and calling yourself a Nurse?
Can you imagine what would happen if I called myself a Doctor? Sorry, but that's ignorant and pathetic. I would NEVER do it. If this thread offends you, then please don't reply. It shouldn't be offensive unless you are one of the few health care workers who live a lie and call yourself a nurse.
How do we address this and stop this? Medical Assistants are the BIGGEST group I have witnessed this by. I have a LOT of respect for them and envy their position. They ENJOY their jobs...but why do SOME (not ALL), throw MY nursing license value around like that by claiming they are a nurse?
What do you do when it's a friend doing this?
What do you do when it's a health care coworker?
I already know what I would do if I was going to a Doctor's office and they did this. That's easy. It's the friend part that is hard. I KNOW it's silly to be upset..but I have never seen so much ignorance. Why did I work hard if someone else can call themselves a nurse and only went to school for 6 months? What did I work for? Other than the obvious paycheck and passion?! ha :)
Specializes in Psychiatric, Home Health, Geriatrics.
I heard verbatim from the office manager at my PCP's office that the office manager was directly instructed to tell the MAs to refer to themselves as nurses because only the term "Registered Nurse" is protected in my state and that they provide "nursing care" and that no one has exclusive "ownership" of the term "nursing" or "nurse" (for example, it is not a crime to say the patient is a "nursing mother" [using the other meaning]).
Docs are being more aggressive with referring to them that way...
...because they are getting away with it! How long would they stand for us to refer to ourselves/others as "doctor"?
Isn't this practice really a result of when the MD's took it upon themselves to train unlicensed assistive personnel because they supposedly couldn't afford to hire real nurses? Personally. I see it as a thinly veiled put-down of nurses in that they think they can do what nurse educators do and therefore put us all out of work; another instance of the God complex. If this isn't stopped it will just continue to escalate & we WILL be unemployed.
I totally agree with what you are saying. I become so frustrated with nonprofessionals taking "credit" for being something they are not that I want to scream. I started out as a CNA, never once did I say I was a nurse yet I see this happening too often. I deal with a NA at our facility that causes repeated later violence on the unit. She was detailed to us because no one else will allow her to come to their unit. We have repeatedly written up, and asked to have her detailed or removed. She is confrontational when asked to do her"work". We have had this confrontation, but she knows I don't put up with it. The final straw was her telling a patient's family member she was the nurse for the patient, I confronted her and reported her to the unit manager for impersonating a nurse. I'm not sure why she is still there, but she is. I am proud of the advancements I have made (working on masters at present) and it irritates me to no end when someone like this tries to present themselves falsely.
I honestly think that the layman sees someone giving them medical care (vitals, shots, fluffing pillows, sponge baths, etc. etc. etc. and couldn't care less if they hold the 'official' title of nurse. Their needs are being met, that equates being 'nursed' back to health, hence they are 'nurses'.
Does this make it right for CNAs, MA, PCTs, etc. to call themselves nurses? No.. but I honestly don't think the average patient gives a sh!t. (pardon the language)
Specializes in Psychiatric, Home Health, Geriatrics.
I have a handful of friends who are CRNA and also RN's and the way they talk about the aides is REALLY beginning to stress me out!! Is this how I can expect to be treated or thought of once I start working?
Absolutely NOT!!! Some of us RNs definitely DO appreciate what you do, as without you we'd be unable to finish the work we'd have to do. There is nothing quite as valuable as CNAs, techs, etc. who know what they are doing and don't need to be checked on because you know that if there is a problem they will let the RN/LPN know. The problem is with those that resent the fact that the RN is in charge, which is childish. I, for one, wouldn't be as good a nurse as I am without the backing of the CNAs,techs, etc. and I try to give credit where credit is due when evaluation time comes around.
I honestly think that the layman sees someone giving them medical care (vitals, shots, fluffing pillows, sponge baths, etc. etc. etc. and couldn't care less if they hold the 'official' title of nurse. Their needs are being met, that equates being 'nursed' back to health, hence they are 'nurses'.
Does this make it right for CNAs, MA, PCTs, etc. to call themselves nurses? No.. but I honestly don't think the average patient gives a sh!t. (pardon the language)
I care. And I make it my business to know at every doctor's office we use. Considering the health needs of my family, that's a fair number of doctor's offices. I'm probably not the average patient, but I'm not a nurse and I definitely care. There are more people like me than you think. I respect what MAs can do, but when my preschooler develops a painful rash that looks like it could be infected, I want to talk to a nurse.
I was listening to Dr. Laura the other day and a caller said she was 18 and in medical school. I thought "What???" Then Dr. L said the same thing and asked the caller to explain. Turns out she's in a business school training to be a medical assistant. Sometimes I have to laugh at what people say when they're trying to be something they're not.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
FWIW, a little bio on "Dr. Laura":
"Schlessinger attended Westbury High School and Jericho High School where she showed an interest in science.[12] She received a bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University.[13] Moving to Columbia University for graduate studies,[14] she earned a Master's and Ph.D. in physiology in 1974. Her doctoral thesis was on the effects of insulin in laboratory rats.[15][16] After she began dispensing personal advice on the radio, she obtained training and certification in marriage and family counseling from the University of Southern California, and a therapist's license from the State of California. In addition, she opened up a part-time practice as a marriage and family counselor.[17][18]"
A CENA isn't even licensed. They are certified nursing assistants and there is a big difference between a license and a certificate.
I disagree, a CNA is a licensed profession. You have to have so many classroom hours and so many clinical hours. Then you have to pass a state test and renew your license every 2 years, you don't renew a certificate. No a CNA is NOT a nurse, and I understand where the op is coming from you see it many times in any setting whether it is in LTC or in the hospital. I have had many residents ask me if I was the nurse or if I can give them their meds. My answer was always the same "no I am not your nurse, I am not allowed to do that by law, I will tell the nurse for you". Even CNAs have a certain standard and laws to go by, of which I take seriously. I am proud to be a CNA and I am proud to say that I am currently in school taking my pre reqs to apply for nursing school, but I have never nor will I ever claim to be a nurse until I am one. I know how hard nurses work in school, a lot of my family and my in-laws are nurses, I know how hard nursing school is. On that note, please don't belittle the CNA license, being a CNA is honest work, CNAs are needed, they are an important aspect to the healthcare team. The CNA can make or break the nurse, if it wasn't for a CNA the nurses would be doing a lot of the butt wiping, showering, assisted feedings, toileting, dressing, and everything else that the job entails. The CNA is what enables the nurse to do his or her job. I am just trying to say that we are valuable too. Anyway like I said before I have worked with those types of people, but I think the most annoying type of person is the super CNA or the super nurse, you know the ones who say how great they are and how they know it all and like to belittle/talk bad about their co-workers when in reality, they are lazy know it all witches.
I disagree, a CNA is a licensed profession. You have to have so many classroom hours and so many clinical hours. Then you have to pass a state test and renew your license every 2 years, you don't renew a certificate. No a CNA is NOT a nurse, and I understand where the op is coming from you see it many times in any setting whether it is in LTC or in the hospital. I have had many residents ask me if I was the nurse or if I can give them their meds. My answer was always the same "no I am not your nurse, I am not allowed to do that by law, I will tell the nurse for you". Even CNAs have a certain standard and laws to go by, of which I take seriously. I am proud to be a CNA and I am proud to say that I am currently in school taking my pre reqs to apply for nursing school, but I have never nor will I ever claim to be a nurse until I am one. I know how hard nurses work in school, a lot of my family and my in-laws are nurses, I know how hard nursing school is. On that note, please don't belittle the CNA license, being a CNA is honest work, CNAs are needed, they are an important aspect to the healthcare team. The CNA can make or break the nurse, if it wasn't for a CNA the nurses would be doing a lot of the butt wiping, showering, assisted feedings, toileting, dressing, and everything else that the job entails. The CNA is what enables the nurse to do his or her job. I am just trying to say that we are valuable too. Anyway like I said before I have worked with those types of people, but I think the most annoying type of person is the super CNA or the super nurse, you know the ones who say how great they are and how they know it all and like to belittle/talk bad about their co-workers when in reality, they are lazy know it all witches.
You are right. CNA stands for Certified Nursing Assistant... the C, certified comes from what ever school you went to, they gave you a certification... BUT to be able to practice as a CNA you need to be registered and have a SRNA (state registered nursing assistant) number which is your number that proves you are licensed to work as the CNA... so being a CNA is a licensed profession.
I am sure I could have worded that better but it's 2am and I'm tired lol
If certified was not licensed I would not have to had to go to class, go to clinicals, PASS a STATE test, renew my LICENSE every 2 year, and be on the state REGISTRY. I don't know where you live or what the requirements are for the CNAs in your state, but in Indiana yes you have to have a CNA LICENSE to work as a CNA.
I totally agree with what you are saying. I become so frustrated with nonprofessionals taking "credit" for being something they are not that I want to scream. I started out as a CNA, never once did I say I was a nurse yet I see this happening too often. I deal with a NA at our facility that causes repeated later violence on the unit. She was detailed to us because no one else will allow her to come to their unit. We have repeatedly written up, and asked to have her detailed or removed. She is confrontational when asked to do her"work". We have had this confrontation, but she knows I don't put up with it. The final straw was her telling a patient's family member she was the nurse for the patient, I confronted her and reported her to the unit manager for impersonating a nurse. I'm not sure why she is still there, but she is. I am proud of the advancements I have made (working on masters at present) and it irritates me to no end when someone like this tries to present themselves falsely.
MissPiggy
181 Posts
...because they are getting away with it! How long would they stand for us to refer to ourselves/others as "doctor"?
Isn't this practice really a result of when the MD's took it upon themselves to train unlicensed assistive personnel because they supposedly couldn't afford to hire real nurses? Personally. I see it as a thinly veiled put-down of nurses in that they think they can do what nurse educators do and therefore put us all out of work; another instance of the God complex. If this isn't stopped it will just continue to escalate & we WILL be unemployed.
Just my