Calling staff "nurses" who aren't nurses!!

BandEmom · Jun 4, 2005

I totally agree with you. I'm sure that those grandfathered in people do feel a certain amount of guilt about being called a nurse, but would never correct anyone because it just makes em feel so good to be called a nurse!

medsurgnurse, RN · Jun 4, 2005

I just need to get this off my chest and ask for opinions from anyone here. What do you think about staff ie., MA and back office asst (that works under the "grandfather clause") being referred to as a "Nurse" to the patients, etc. I'm having such trouble with this and can't get over it :angryfire
I work in an office with 3 doctors - one doctor has a MA - the other doctor has the asst (under the grandfather clause ) - and my doctor has me (the only RN in our office!!) It angers me so much when they are referred to as nurses - this happens all day, everyday.
First, why should they get credit for a title they never worked for (and I mean worked for!) - secondly, when you are referred to with a specific title, you are expected to have atleast that basic knowledge and held up to that standard - third, if a mistake is made or a complaint is filed on the MA or asst, won't our practice get into trouble for having unlicensed staff doing the work of a nurse, and being referred to as a nurse to the patient? Our patients are in our office believing that they are being treated by a RN!! Its just not right!!
I've spoken to the office staff and expressed my feelings but of course they are still being called 'nurses'. I worked so hard for my title and am so very proud of myself for my accomplishments and I wear my RN proud. I just don't think it is right that they don't have to put any blood, sweat, and tears into their "title"!!
Am I being tooooooo petty?????
Thanks so much

There have been other threads o this subject. Impersonating a nurse is against the law. Go on your state board of nursing website and read about it.

mysticalwaters1 · Jun 4, 2005

I see that all the time on a med surg floor I work on. I see pts comming in and some person comming up stating i'm this so and so's nurse and I find out their unlicensed and a person just caring for the individual. I get annoyed because they use this to act as equals or intimidate you for info. Sometimes they want to know about the pt's care including medical procedures when this is against hippa and they don't deal with direct labs testing and other things licensed nurses deal with. I guess what annoys me too not so much I've worked for my title I guess some part but just that I've ALLWAYS thought of a nurse as a Lpn, Rn or licensed personnel and allways thought people who refer to themselves as a nurse was liscenced. I'm assuming lots of people think this way too which is not right at all!!! I have never seen such ego trips as medical field or people trying to act as ones wow!!!

I'm having a problem on my unit with our technicians. Yes it's busy but they are telling the nurses what to do and not listening to our orders such as i'm won't do this stat glucose test because I'm going to empty this foley and if you say after that it takes very long time to do it if it does and find them sitting by the nursing station. And I'm not talking about overworking someone to death I help out if I can but it irks me when I would tell them to do something and they sit there by the nursing station saying ok and reading a magazine and telling me I know my job i'll get to it!!! Anyway this same technician I find reading the magazine who I also caught sleeping in a pt's room and watching tv (yes i've discussed it with the manager) was talking about something and then said some remark "how dare pa, I'm a nurse I don't have to deal with that" she was refering to alimony of some sort and what that has to do with a nurse i don't know but she refered to herself as a nurse which i think is the problem!!! Yes she's a caregiver! Yes we are equals in the sense we have a job to do but the nurses are her superiors and she is suppose to follow our directions and if there is an issue talk to us or the manager but that really ticked me off very much so. Oh well. I just allways tell people just because someone says they are a nurse there are many interpretations of one and find out if they have a liscence.

pricklypear · Jun 4, 2005

First, why should they get credit for a title they never worked for (and I mean worked for!) - secondly, when you are referred to with a specific title, you are expected to have atleast that basic knowledge and held up to that standard - third, if a mistake is made or a complaint is filed on the MA or asst, won't our practice get into trouble for having unlicensed staff doing the work of a nurse, and being referred to as a nurse to the patient? Our patients are in our office believing that they are being treated by a RN!! Its just not right!!

No way, I don't think you're being petty at all. I know lots of clinics that employ MAs where they used to have nurses. Seems like 1 or 2 real nurses in the building is enough. The problem is that the public always associates that person who escorts you to your room, takes your BP and asks about your visit with being a nurse. Cause that's how it used to be. I know in my doctor's office, most of the staff doesn't even wear a badge - so you don't know what they are unless you ask. When I call and ask for his "nurse" I have to make sure she really is a nurse before I talk to her. I think most of them are all too happy to allow people to assume they're nurses.

You did work hard for your title. Can you imagine doctors putting up with other office workers letting people call them DR?

Are the unlicenced staff in your office actually doing things outside their scope? Like calling in prescriptions, telephone orders, etc...

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2005

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. Be confident in your skills and role as an RN. No one can take that from you. Let the office staff have their moments of joy. The word "nurse" is only being used in a vernacular sense. Know within you that you are THE RN, but don't flaunt it. As Shakespeare said "What's in a name?"

mysticalwaters1 · Jun 4, 2005

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. Be confident in your skills and role as an RN. No one can take that from you. Let the office staff have their moments of joy. The word "nurse" is only being used in a vernacular sense. Know within you that you are THE RN, but don't flaunt it. As Shakespeare said "What's in a name?"

Nice advice!

Andi33 · Jun 4, 2005

No way, I don't think you're being petty at all. I know lots of clinics that employ MAs where they used to have nurses. Seems like 1 or 2 real nurses in the building is enough. The problem is that the public always associates that person who escorts you to your room, takes your BP and asks about your visit with being a nurse. Cause that's how it used to be. I know in my doctor's office, most of the staff doesn't even wear a badge - so you don't know what they are unless you ask. When I call and ask for his "nurse" I have to make sure she really is a nurse before I talk to her. I think most of them are all too happy to allow people to assume they're nurses.
You did work hard for your title. Can you imagine doctors putting up with other office workers letting people call them DR?
Are the unlicenced staff in your office actually doing things outside their scope? Like calling in prescriptions, telephone orders, etc...

I have worked in an office as a clinical MA. I am finishing up a two-year program in medical assisting, and I take offense to some of these posts. First of all, there is a huge misconception concerning MA's and the work that they do. We are specifically trained to work under the supervision of a physician. I have NEVER called myself a nurse and am tired of being grouped with some who do. I introduce myself to patients by stating my name and that I am a MA. I have also corrected front office personel to please stop referring to me as a nurse. What this all comes down to is need a to understand the roles that each of us play in the field of medicine. I'm sorry that more and more offices are hiring MA's instead of nurses, and I think that it all comes down to saving money. We ALL work hard for the titles that we earn and have to realize that there are people in all professions who claim to be who they are not. I respect the work that nurses do, and will be starting nursing school in the fall to broaden and enhance the education and skills that I already have. Please remember that not all MA"s act as if they are nurses! We are taught totally different skills and work within the scope of our practice.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 4, 2005

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. Be confident in your skills and role as an RN. No one can take that from you. Let the office staff have their moments of joy. The word "nurse" is only being used in a vernacular sense. Know within you that you are THE RN, but don't flaunt it. As Shakespeare said "What's in a name?"

you could not be more mistaken. read your Nurse Practice Act if you think it's harmless. It's not. And it's not legal. :angryfire

mstigerlily · Jun 4, 2005

Everyone wearing scrubs is a nurse nowadays. Patients don't know the names of all the different health care providers.

My daughter's school had what I thought was a nurse. She is there full time in her own nice office taking care of kids. When I asked she told me she was a "health tech II" - whatever that is. When I asked what sort of training this might entail and what her scope of practice was, she told me when she started, "only a 12 hr class was needed"!!!! And also that she couldn't give injections but that she can catheterize people. She said she had a kid with spinal bifida who she cathed twice a day!!! This blew my mind.

Melissa

pricklypear · Jun 4, 2005

I have worked in an office as a clinical MA. I am finishing up a two-year program in medical assisting, and I take offense to some of these posts. First of all, there is a huge misconception concerning MA's and the work that they do. We are specifically trained to work under the supervision of a physician. I have NEVER called myself a nurse and am tired of being grouped with some who do. I introduce myself to patients by stating my name and that I am a MA. I have also corrected front office personel to please stop referring to me as a nurse. What this all comes down to is need a to understand the roles that each of us play in the field of medicine. I'm sorry that more and more offices are hiring MA's instead of nurses, and I think that it all comes down to saving money. We ALL work hard for the titles that we earn and have to realize that there are people in all professions who claim to be who they are not. I respect the work that nurses do, and will be starting nursing school in the fall to broaden and enhance the education and skills that I already have. Please remember that not all MA"s act as if they are nurses! We are taught totally different skills and work within the scope of our practice.

I'm sorry, I didn't intend to offend you. I didn't mean to sound like I thought ALL MAs tried to pass themselves off as nurses, just some of the ones I have seen in the office. I had no idea that there are AA degrees in Medical Assisting. What kinds of courses do you take? What is your scope of practice?

suzanne4, RN · Jun 4, 2005

If someone actually uses the title "nurse", such as this is the nurse, or I am Dr. ----'s nurse, and they are not, that is against the law in the eyes of every state BON and they are subject to fines and can be prosecuted. The BONS are actively following up on this.