Doctor's office and "nurses"

MzMouse · Aug 8, 2008

I work in the (apparently) rare clinic that employees nearly all RNs and LPNs. We do have a few MAs that work most behind the scenes, checks-ins, enter labs, etc..... They are fabulous, valuable employees who are identified as MAs, not nurses.

Mellowchick · Aug 9, 2008

Read Carefully! Inflate the ego's of non-licensed persons! I didn't say that licensed people have inflated ego's just that those without a license get one when everyone keeps calling them a nurse.

Oh you don't have to "say" it. It's all right here in the forum.

srgmom · Aug 9, 2008

Why are there so many non-nurses who post here with such an attitude?? Isn't this a NURSING forum....if you are not a nurse......Why are you here?

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2008

Oh you don't have to "say" it. It's all right here in the forum.

And you are a CMA? Do you have an opinion on CMA's calling themselves or allowing others to call them a nurse? :nurse:

Mellowchick · Aug 9, 2008

It shouldn't have been b/c MA's work under the license of a physician.
I have seen MA's post that they even give injections, even start IV's, do teaching on meds, etc...things that only a licensed LPN or an RN would do...these things require a license from the state (and I can't think of a single state that licenses MA's), but we have always been taught that the reason they can do these tasks is b/c they work under the license of the physician, not the nurse.
If what you are saying happened, then that is another good reason to have malpractice insurance so you can defend your license to the board and get an attorney that can accurately argue a legal defense.
I think a good attorney could argue, even if a nurse was present, watching...still the license of the physician if she screws up.

the MA works under the Physician, bottom line. Nurses are not responsible.. if you have MA's working under you and you don't like it then speak up! or shut up and quit yer ********!

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2008

Why are there so many non-nurses who post here with such an attitude??

IMHO MA's are valuable members of the healthcare team "if" they adhere to their SOP. Some do. A great majority do not. Many believe they are nurses in every sense of the word.

A nurse is a licensed person who has successfully passed NCLEX. Saying you're something you're not does not make it so.

Those who think they are nurses but aren't become very defensive when questioned...

Mellowchick · Aug 9, 2008

Why are there so many non-nurses who post here with such an attitude?? Isn't this a NURSING forum....if you are not a nurse......Why are you here?

Who has an attitude?? From what I've seen it's YOU who has the attitude! There are many "non-nurses" here who post.. are you going to call out the paramedics? the students? the aides? the lay people who are thinking about nursing?... seriously.. is this some secret club? Come on ya'll! This isn't rocket science! It's caring for people! Open up! Welcome those who are trying to help. There's room.. I've checked :)

Mellowchick · Aug 9, 2008

It shouldn't have been b/c MA's work under the license of a physician.
I have seen MA's post that they even give injections, even start IV's, do teaching on meds, etc...things that only a licensed LPN or an RN would do...these things require a license from the state (and I can't think of a single state that licenses MA's), but we have always been taught that the reason they can do these tasks is b/c they work under the license of the physician, not the nurse.
If what you are saying happened, then that is another good reason to have malpractice insurance so you can defend your license to the board and get an attorney that can accurately argue a legal defense.
I think a good attorney could argue, even if a nurse was present, watching...still the license of the physician if she screws up.

"even give injections"... really? You do realize that family members are taught to give injections, right? Patients have even been taught to inject themselves... I know MA's are not "licensed" but they can be taught to give injections.. it's been observed, videotaped, and discussed. I'm not quite sure but perhaps Dian Fossey has done a study on these bizarre creatures who appear to be human.. but...

shelly304 · Aug 9, 2008

I always find these MA threads so interesting.

I work in a clinic with several nurse practitioners and physicians assistants. Please note-not one of them hold a doctorate. But a few refer to themselves as "Doctor Smith". Last spring I wrote about this here on allnurses. The interesting response was" it was no big deal", "quit complaining, "they have advanced degrees"...etc.

My question is why do we as nurses get our panties in a wad when unlicensed health workers call themselves nurses, but when an NP or PA wants to call themself "Doctor", why don't we care?

I think patients have a right to understand who is treating them-

MA, LPN, RN, NP, PA

I am not debating NP or PA and the significance of their role in the healthcare setting but why, we as nurses, get my up in arms about an MA calling themself a nurse but we don't care about working for an NP who calls themself a "Doctor"?

Does it not bother us to find out the person we assumed is a licensed medical doctor because he/she introduced themselves to us in this way, is a nurse practioner?

We are all so vocal in wanting the patient to "know the truth" when it comes to who is and who is not a nurse. Do we care enough about the pt. to explain that the practitioner treating them is an NP or a PA when the practitioner is the one perpetuating the term "Doctor"?

I actually recieved a PM about this last spring from a member who told me an NP or PA would NEVER lie or mislead patients on their status. The member told me, I was lying about it happening!

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2008

I know MA's are not "licensed" but they can be taught to give injections.. it's been observed, videotaped, and discussed.

Putting the emphasis on "licensed" tells me you consider being "licensed" not a big deal? It is a big deal to those of us who have one :)

Back on subject...The least part of a licensed nurses education is the ability to inject medications. As you say anyone can be taught to do it. Critical thinking is what the nurse possess' that makes the nurse a professional :nurse:

Why do you speak of MA's as "they"? You are a CMA, correct? Why not be proud of who you are? " :rolleyes:

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2008

I actually recieved a PM about this last spring from a member who told me an NP or PA would NEVER lie or mislead patients on their status. The member told me, I was lying about it happening!

I totally believe it happens but I personally have never witnessed it. I have been pulled to the ER to work and the PA's are constantly called doctor by the patients and the PA's are quick to point out that they are advanced practiced nurses, not doctors. The same for my doctors office group. They have several NP's and I hear patients "well doctor what do you think about so and so" and the NP's tell them, remember I'm not a doctor. I don't doubt that it happens though :nurse:

Mellowchick · Aug 9, 2008

Putting the emphasis on "licensed" tells me you consider being "licensed" not a big deal? It is a big deal to those of us who have one :)
Back on subject...The least part of a licensed nurses education is the ability to inject medications. As you say anyone can be taught to do it. Critical thinking is what the nurse possess' that makes the nurse a professional
Why do you speak of MA's as "they"? You are a CMA, correct? Why not be proud of who you are? "

I'm quite proud of who I am and what I do.. if you don't know that by now you should go back and read my previous posts. I refered to MA's as "they" because I was referring to the group of MA's and not just myself.

And yes, nurses are taught critical thinking so that they can make the decisions regarding giving injections. MA's have an MD right there so they don't have that responsibility. What's the issue?