CNA's referred to as "Nurse"

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I just started working for a gyn office. I recently found out that some of the staff that is referred to as nurses and portray themselves as nurses really are not. Most are CNA's and others have no medical experience prior to this job. These people assist with procedures, call in refills and return calls regarding the patients and their care. I thought this was illegal. Has anyone ever heard of this?

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
I just started working for a gyn office. I recently found out that some of the staff that is referred to as nurses and portray themselves as nurses really are not. Most are CNA's and others have no medical experience prior to this job. These people assist with procedures, call in refills and return calls regarding the patients and their care. I thought this was illegal. Has anyone ever heard of this?

I am not sure what the scope of practice is for CNAs in a office setting. Are you sure that they are not CMAs? CMAs are allowed to do the things you described above, at least in california and we have a pretty well drawn up scope of practice in our state for medical assistants.

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No. They have had no nursing education or training other than on the job. I guess that I shouldn't refer to them as CNA's because they aren't even certified. One of them told me that she is a hair dresser. I really didn't think that on the job training would qualify you as a nurse. I had to earn my title the hard and expensive way.

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Specializes in tele m/s geriatrics.

I worked in a doctor office once and I trained people off the street that was hired to work as a nurse and there was no restrictions on what they did. I think the doctors are responsible for them. I agree with you I had to do it the good old fashion way - nursing school.

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Specializes in MPCU.

"Nurse" is anyone who wants the title. Often, CMA's are called nurse, the same is true of veterinary assistants. The titles that count are Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Certified Nursing Assistant. We are not the only profession who suffers from misunderstandings about title: A nutritionist is anyone, a Registered Dietitian is accountable for the advise/service given.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.
"Nurse" is anyone who wants the title. Often, CMA's are called nurse, the same is true of veterinary assistants. The titles that count are Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse, Certified Nursing Assistant.

The title "nurse" is protected by law and can only used legally by individuals who are authorized to practice nursing, which includes registered professional nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

In some states, there may be criminal and/or civil proceedings against those who use or aid in the use of the title "nurse" by any individual(s) not licensed under the Nurse Practice Act.

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The title "nurse" is protected by law and can only used legally by individuals who are authorized to practice nursing, which includes registered professional nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

In some states, there may be criminal and/or civil proceedings against those who use or aid in the use of the title "nurse" by any individual(s) not licensed under the Nurse Practice Act.

i believe that it has been posted on a previous thread on this subject that in some states it is indeed "registered nurse or lic practical nurse" that is protected, not nurse

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Specializes in MPCU.

Guess anyone who breast feeds their child will hafta be careful about saying she is nursing her child :uhoh21:. Seriously, nurse is anyone who wants to be called a nurse. Then again, I'm a nurse and not a lawyer, so best be safe and check with someone who actually knows.

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i believe that it has been posted on a previous thread on this subject that in some states it is indeed "registered nurse or lic practical nurse" that is protected, not nurse

I know a wet nurse. :) Is she breaking the law... ;)

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.
i believe that it has been posted on a previous thread on this subject that in some states it is indeed "registered nurse or lic practical nurse" that is protected, not nurse

According to the ANA Summary of Laws Protection the title "nurse", it is illegal for anyone who is not licensed by the board in the following states to use the title "nurse", Registered Nurse, RN, graduate nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN: AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, KY, ID, MD, MN, MO, NE, NM, NV, NY, NC, ND, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, WI, WV.

http://www.needlestick.org/gova/state/2006/titlenurse.pdf

The intent of protecting the title "nurse" is to protect the public from individuals who are not nurses, yet deceitfully lead the public to believe they are nurses and able to provide certain services that only nurses are qualified to provide. A legislative approach is to amend state nurse practice acts, which currently do not protect someone from using the title "nurse" who is not licensed. Nurse practice acts describe entry requirements, practice standards and codes of conduct with the intent of protecting the public against unethical, unscrupulous and incompetent practitioners. The regulation of nurses offers some assurance to the public that a nurse is competent to provide services in an effective and safe way. Restricting use of the title "nurse" to those who have satisfied the licensure requirements ensures protection the public deserves

http://www.nursingworld.org/mainmenucategories/ANAPoliticalPower/State/StateLegislativeAgenda/TitleNurse_1.aspx

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Specializes in MPCU.

Hmmm, food for thought. Thank you for the ANA link.

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