The majority of doctors in my area refer to their medical assistants as nurses. I feel this is no different than calling a PA a doctor. Most medical offices do not hire LVNs any more, and MAs are used just like LVNs were/are. I recently received a flu shot where the skin was pulled up as with a SQ injection. I did not feel it. I wonder what size needle was used, and most of all, I wonder if the injection will be effective.
My brother was recently told by a MA that the side effect he was experiencing from a new medication had nothing to do with the med. He insisted on an appointment and the med was immediately stopped. MAs are apparently not trained in how to give injections, and they have no educational background for talking to patients about medical issues.
This is going to become a real problem in the future. Most people do not know if they are getting misinformation or getting an injection correctly. I do want to give credit to the MAs who want to learn and do the job correctly. There are some, I am sure. But they should never be called nurse.
Anyone else out there have any stories or opinions on this subject?
I don't think most RNs say this about LVNs, but of course there is a big difference in the education of a RN vs a LVN. Would you think it rude if I complained that a LVN was calling her or himself a doctor?
You should care if a MA is called a nurse, or if a nurse is called a doctor. I am glad you have good MAs, many are very good, and some have good training. I have never heard of a two year program for MAs. Where is that?
This is not a matter of jealousy; it is a matter of receiving proper care from UNTRAINED MAs, and it happens a lot in my area. I believe my original thread does acknowledge that there are good MAs. It does matter what is on your badge if you overstep your bounds legally. Unkindness? Where did that come in.
You are apparently one of the trained and conscientious MAs. I mainly refer to people who work the front desk and are moved to MA positions, or get hired in some other way rather than by going to MA training. There are many in my area. The main thing is that people in medicine should be referred to by their proper titles, not elevated to a position or title they have not legally trained for.
I don't think most RNs say this about LVNs, but of course there is a big difference in the education of a RN vs a LVN. Would you think it rude if I complained that a LVN was calling her or himself a doctor?
I don't think most RNs say this about LVNs, but of course there is a big difference in the education of a RN vs a LVN. Would you think it rude if I complained that a LVN was calling her or himself a doctor?
I think it may be a typo. He may have been trying to write "LPN".
Three additional years? I think that depends on the schools people have attended and the level of nursing that they have gone to school for. There is such a huge variety of programs with different levels and different time requirements. It is hard to compare education levels so simply.
Lark Pogue
8 Posts
What is a LON?
I don't think most RNs say this about LVNs, but of course there is a big difference in the education of a RN vs a LVN. Would you think it rude if I complained that a LVN was calling her or himself a doctor?