chiropractor employee taking blood pressures

[sam1971]

So this is a new one....I was recently at a community event were I saw a table with a woman taking blood pressures and handing out literature. I got my blood pressure taken and asked her if she was a nurse. She said yes, she was the clinic nurse for the chiropractor she worked for. After further conversation, she told me she was neither a RN or LPN. She wasnt even a MA or CNA. Just someone working for a chiropractor taking blood pressures and passing themselves off as a "clinic nurse".

Just another example of how everyone is calling themselves a "nurse" without actually being one! Where does it end???

[VegetasGRL03RN]

Please take ACTION by writing a letter to alert the Chiropracter of what transpired at health fair and RN title protection. Address letter to both chiropracter AND Board of Nursing if your state has title protection, send to both parties.

See ANA's state map Title "Nurse" Protection and Title "Nurse" Protection: Summary of Language by State

Thanks for providing these links. There are some clinics that have given me good reason to invest in some stationary lol.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Interesting links!! Who knew that in my state, ONLY an RN can call themselves a nurse. I did not know that. I DID know (sadly) that the state where I work has no such language on the books regarding who can call themselves a nurse. I work in a specialty clinic and daily there are multiple pages for "any nurse take the call on line XX" and routinely the person scheduled to take those calls is not a nurse of any sort. Chaps my hide, but it seems that there is little recourse for this =(

Please take ACTION by writing a letter to alert the Chiropracter of what transpired at health fair and RN title protection. Address letter to both chiropracter AND Board of Nursing if your state has title protection, send to both parties.

See ANA's state map Title "Nurse" Protection and Title "Nurse" Protection: Summary of Language by State

[Biosciencegeek]

To me, this is on the same level as those people who run around calling themselves Navy SEALS. I worked with SEALS during my time in the Navy, though I, myself never was one. Those guys used to get mad to the point of assaulting someone when people would claim to be SEALS and they really weren't. Marines are the same way. I understand totally why nurses would get upset at someone claiming to be something that they never put the work in to become.

[Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN]

Just because the state nurse practice act says it is a protected title does not mean that the averge joe public is covered by that rule. Only those with a nursing license are compleled follow those rules. Unless it a state law, then it is not a protected title. The BON cannot force an unlicesed person to follow their rules. The only time they can go after the pulbic is if the person is IMPERSONATING an nurse and is falsifying their official credentials to obtain false licensure.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

The Nurse Practice Act is state law, and it does apply to Joe Average.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

The Nurse Practice Act is state law, and it does apply to Joe Average.

THIS.

I have read in my past few quarters, there have been an uptick of people having to pay fines, as well as them being rendered not able to gain licensure from impersonating a nurse; some were CNAs; others may have been lay people who work in the healthcare setting; it's been an interesting read away from the usual failure to report infractions on other licenses, assault, diverting narcotics, and revocation due to incompetence.

At lear in my state, they do go after people; there's hope after all.

[RainMom]

Just wanted to comment with my perspective from the "other" side, lol.

I worked as a chiropractic assistant (that is the actual title or "CA") for 16 yrs. For my state (and I believe most others) it is not a licensed position & typically does not require a certification either, although there are some small programs out there. I went into that job from with a business degree with the expectation that most of my job would be office duties, billing etc. It did include that, but I was also trained on the job to do a quick intake with ht/wt & VS. We simply used a machine for the BP anyway like the average person does at home & if it was out of range, the chiro would check it again herself manually. I also learned how to use various forms of electrical stimulation (TENS, interferrential, Russian), traction, ultrasound, etc. All of this was with training from the doctor, supplemented with frequent conferences & seminars through our state association & local orthopedic/PT events (which was required as part of my employment).

I would have to say that I know where some of you are coming from with your negative opinions because I know of other offices through the years that I wouldn't take my dog to, let alone a family member. I feel the doctor I worked for was quite unique in her practice in that she actually WAS an MD first, but when coming from Iran to the US in the 70's, was not able to access documentation once here to be able to practice medicine. She would have had to start all over. There were many instances over the years where she was able to diagnose some pretty serious conditions that other PCP had not caught & was able to make a huge difference for patients with a timely referral to a specialist.

As far as being called a nurse, there were a few instances where a new pt asked if I was a nurse or about certification & I always answered truthfully. My title was CA & there is no required certification, just on the job training. It surprised many people due to the depth of my knowledge, but I DID work there for many years! In dealings with other offices & those in the business that I met at seminars & functions, I honestly don't ever remember people trying to insinuate that they were ever anything more than CAs. A CA can also hold membership with the state association my office belonged to (for the proper fee of course!).

As far as being a low paying job, I started out minimum wage, but my boss was quite generous (thus my 16 yrs of service) and it took 2 yrs of working as a nurse to reach my previous salary when I left that job. I presently make about $5000 more per yr than I did before going to nursing school (but have to admit there are more financial benefits though I do so miss my adjustments).

Just irks me when chiropractic is always so negatively viewed when there are a lot of good offices & physicians out there. I am quite aware though of the more shady dealings of some as we also did independent evaluations for insurance companies, mostly State Farm, & it was not unusual to find pts being treated for many weeks past maximum medical improvement with no release or referral given, sometimes with unsubstantiated billing practices. But I believe we all could name a few MEDICAL practices or MDs with as much disdain & mistrust.

Just my experience & opinion

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Further chiropractors most often have an alternate medicine theory that is not always mainstream. That someone has a BP of 210/120 and is advised to go home and drink guava juice is not helpful, and could be dangerous. And this assistant may not have the backing, nor the knowledge to suggest someone follow up--sooner rather than later.

This is exactly what I was thinking when I initially read the OP! A few years ago I did go to a group of DC's because I was having horrible thoracic back pain. Neither my PCP nor my CNM group (who I see for well-woman and prenatals) had any suggestions, as what they knew for helping back pain was limited to lumbar back pain. So anyway, I go to this office for my evaluation, and in the waiting room was all sorts of literature about the dangers of vaccines. And then the DC tried to have that conversation with me during my exam!

I'm one that if I do get influenza am down for a good two weeks at LEAST. I'll put those "toxins" in my body over influenza virus any day of the week. And re: vaccines in general, it's not like once upon a time people's immune systems worked just fine. Kids were crippled, needed iron lungs, and developed lifelong pain from polio. Boys could suffer infertility years after getting mumps. Oh, and kids DIED.

Back from my tangent. My first thought when I read the OP was of someone coming in with critical BP (because pharmaceuticals are poisonous after all), and being given advice by this alleged nurse.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Interesting links!! Who knew that in my state, ONLY an RN can call themselves a nurse. (

In which state can a LPN not call himself a nurse??

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

In which state can a LPN not call himself a nurse??

I would like to know as well.

[Lioness333]

Anyone can be trained to take a BP. Personally, I don't think anyone should use the title of "nurse" unless they are one, but I would never waste time trying to report them...time in my life I can't get back, and for what? To be on a power trip? No, thanks.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Wisconsin

Chapter 441. Subchapter I Regulation of Nursing. 441.001 Definitions

(2) Nurse. Except as provided under s. 441.08 (temporary permit), "nurse", when used without modification or amplification, means only a registered nurse

In which state can a LPN not call himself a nurse??