Doctor's office and "nurses"

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Specializes in Paramedic.

Just a little rant... was wondering if anyone else has experienced this...

Called my doctor's office to see if I could get something called out for a returning ear infection. They transferred me to the "nurse." Long story short, this person is not a LVN or a RN, they are a medical assistant.

Does this bother anyone else?

Isn't this a little shady, calling people nurses who aren't?

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

Unfortunately this is the downward slope of healthcare. MAs are not registered nurses, but they are a lot cheaper and willing to work beyond their scope of practice...not to mention, the scope of practice for an MA is a grey area.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.

oh honey, it doesn't bother just you!!

there are a bunch of threads here... LONG ONES... on just this issue.

The term "nurse" is protected in all 50 states... you have to hold a license to be called "NURSE!!"

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
oh honey, it doesn't bother just you!!

there are a bunch of threads here... LONG ONES... on just this issue.

The term "nurse" is protected in all 50 states... you have to hold a license to be called "NURSE!!"

Ohhh...boy...I can see another 20 mile long MA thread brewing to happen... This is a very sensitive issue here at allnurses. You'll probably see in a minute.

But, no, they are not nurses nor should be be introduced as such.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Last weekend, I noticed an ad in a newspaper classified section for "LPN's/MA's for staff nurse positions" at a physician's office. This troubled me.

I have had experiences similar to the OP, but I have seen a doctor who had 2 fantastic MA's who I in my encounters never did anything outside their scope of practice. If I had any questions, they always responded that they'd check with the doctor and get back to me with an answer (and they always did that promptly).

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Home Health, Geriatrics.

I used to be a MA and since my mom was an RN - I was molded and taught that I as only a MA and not a "nurse" and I was totally cool with that b/c I was working on getting my nursing degree at nights..... unfortunately not all MA's think and WANT to think the way I did. I bumped into an article that stated there is a LAW that was passed in July 2007 (i think) that no one could refer or call themselves a NURSE if they weren't one (not an LPN or RN). It frustrates me b/c they want all the glory and not want to put their time into actually becoming a nurse. UGH!!!! I actually had a MA in the past tell me that she could do what I could do (I was flushed red in the face)...lol

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

Oh yes...this has annoyed (read infuriated) actual nurses forever!

Many of them have very active telephone practices barely with even physician oversight (oh, the doctors are sooo busy)!

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Home Health, Geriatrics.

It's sad when the head hunters put out ads and put MA in the same categories as LPN's and RN's - this trickles down to our clients not knowing the difference either. i've had clients tell me, "what's the difference?" and i stand there with my mouth open looking stupid in shock. I recently told someone I got a job and a visiting nurse and she told me "oh that's great, my grandfather had an AIDE come to his house too 3 times a week" - i literally picked up my glass and left in shock... my mom STILL won't let it go how I should have defended my job and my title..ughhhhh

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Specializes in Paramedic.
Last weekend, I noticed an ad in a newspaper classified section for "LPN's/MA's for staff nurse positions" at a physician's office. This troubled me.

I have had experiences similar to the OP, but I have seen a doctor who had 2 fantastic MA's who I in my encounters never did anything outside their scope of practice. If I had any questions, they always responded that they'd check with the doctor and get back to me with an answer (and they always did that promptly).

You know, the MA's there seem to be pretty good overall, and one of them is fantastic. But that's not the point. I can understand how you all must feel about MA's being referred to as nurses. It's probably the same as how I feel when people call me an ambulance driver (paramedic). Anyways, it's not the same thing and I think what it boils down to is what was said earlier... people willing to work for less money.

Furthermore, I agree with what MrsCrypes said... if someone wants to be a nurse than they should go do the education and classes and be a nurse. It's as silly as an ECA claiming they're a paramedic.

Sorry if this is an issue that is re-tread frequently. I'm new here, and mostly lurk because I find it interesting to read about the "other side" of patient care that begins after I drop mine off. :)

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Home Health, Geriatrics.

Agree with you stunt and WELCOME - am new here too and it's addicting :-)

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Nurses do a lot of teaching. Teaching your friends/family to ask staff what their title is/do they have a license or asking for clarification can help staff to represent themselves accurately. If I have to call a doctor's office, I'm going to ask who I'm talking to. A simple "are you a licensed nurse or a MA/CNA?" is all it takes. If you find staff that are NOT representing themselves accurately, that is a (potentially embarrassing but effective) way to call them on their true job title. I also think it's appropiate to let the doctor know if his/her staff is misrepresenting itself.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
You know, the MA's there seem to be pretty good overall, and one of them is fantastic. But that's not the point. I can understand how you all must feel about MA's being referred to as nurses. It's probably the same as how I feel when people call me an ambulance driver (paramedic). Anyways, it's not the same thing and I think what it boils down to is what was said earlier... people willing to work for less money.

Furthermore, I agree with what MrsCrypes said... if someone wants to be a nurse than they should go do the education and classes and be a nurse. It's as silly as an ECA claiming they're a paramedic.

Sorry if this is an issue that is re-tread frequently. I'm new here, and mostly lurk because I find it interesting to read about the "other side" of patient care that begins after I drop mine off. :)

Agree with you stunt and WELCOME - am new here too and it's addicting :-)

I want to welcome the both of you and hope to hear from you often! :redbeathe No need to apologize at all, stunt. I am just laughing because I have seen this subject tick off the passionate responses in so many people!

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