Frustration over MA's being called Nurses

[sillybella]

Can anyone help me out with this one??? I have not lived in Las Vegas for very long, but have recently started working for a medical office as a medical assistant. The problem is that we (the medical assistants) are referred to as the doctors nurses'. Our triage box even says Nurse on it. I'm very confused because this would not fly where I used to live. Is being a medical assistant so degrading that doctors can't bear to call us what we really are? I'm a nursing student and I just think that it's a slap in the face to the RN's that have spent years, money, etc to get to where they are only to have someone who went to a 3 month school to be a medical asst. be called a nurse. Is this common out here? Did I miss something? Please advise

[PNCC2001]

This is apparently common in many offices and probably will continue. It is a sore spot with many. The important thing is to make sure you don't misrepresent Yourself. A 3 month MA program?? Can you tell us where this was. Most programs are 1-2 years.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

the title of “nurse” should be protected by law and applied to and used only by those legally authorized and licensed to practice the full scope of nursing.

persons receiving health care have a right to know whether they are dealing with a legally licensed nurse. reserving the title “nurse” for those who meet the legal standard allows the public to distinguish legally qualified nurses from other health care providers.

persons who legitimately use the title “nurse” are individually responsible and accountable for their actions, and are required to adhere to professional codes of practice and ethics. nurses need to be educated about their legal rights to the exclusive use of this title, and the ensuing accountability and responsibilities related to the scope of practice assigned to those who are entitled by law to bear this title.

the unlawful use of the title “nurse” should result in criminal, civil, and/or administrative actions against the person and anyone who assists them in using the title “nurse”. unfortunately, what you have described is a common, yet erroneous, practice.

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

Sillybella, what state do you live in? Check the RN practice act and find out if there's a specific ruling about using the word "nurse". Give a copy to the docs you work for, if you feel comfortable, and ask them if they could retitle you "doctor's assistant". Just say something to the effect that it makes you uncomfortable having patients think you're a nurse.

The docs probably don't have a clue.

[dianah, ASN]

Here's an article by the ANA re: which states have statutory protections for the title "nurse" :

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

It seems Nevada does not (or didn't in 2007, when the article was written).

However, one could still make a strong point FOR making the distinction, based on licensure, scope of practice and responsibility.

Kudos to you for bringing this issue to the attention of your office.

[Race Mom, ASN, RN]

I have a feeling I know where you work at. I had a friend that worked in a "clinic" type office that first told me she was a "nurse". A few years later she told me that she a medical assistant and started questioning me about if her doctor was in the right with some of the tasks she was having her do. As you check out, there is a wall file holder that says "NURSES". There isn't one nurse that works there.