I asked my doctor to get me a licensed person to give me an injection

[DutchgirlRN]

I've been sick with pneumonia x 12 days and through this illness my left ear has plugged up, loud roaring noise and definately don't hear as well on the left side.

I went to the ENT today and have fluid behind the ear drum and had a hearing test which showed a significant hearing loss due to damage to the auditory nerve which Dr. ENT says was caused by the virus which caused the pneumonia. We don't know what caused the pneumonia, but whatever. I do trust him.

He suggested a shot of depo-medrol. I said "do you have a licensed person who can give me that shot?" His eyes got big and serious and said "Why?". I said "because I prefer a licensed person draw up my meds and give me the injection". He said "well I can give it to you but I haven't given one in years and my best MA gives shots every single day, we give alot of depo-medrol in this office. I said "Ok". He did not like me asking that question and was kinda flippant saying she gives shots every single day.

MA comes in the room and I asked her what her experience was and she said she had been in the Army as a medic x 12 years and had alot of experience and understood my concern. I told her "well you know alot of MA's think they are nurses, say they are nurses and they are not. I went to school for 4 years to be able to say I'm a nurse and I really have a problem with MA's who don't understand their scope of practice". She didn't say too much other than so you are a nurse? and she added I won't let an MA draw my blood so I know how you feel.

She gave a good shot, I didn't even feel it. I felt justified in asking the doctor for a licensed person even though he didn't appreciate it. If for nothing else so he knows that some people do object to unlicensed persons giving them injections.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

Well, if you'd asked the question with the " I told her "well you know alot of MA's think they are nurses, say they are nurses and they are not. I went to school for 4 years to be able to say I'm a nurse and I really have a problem with MA's who don't understand their scope of practice", it might have a different feel for me.

Carry on.

I labeled it Question? because that what it is, not a Vent! I posted it in the order in which it happened. The MA was very nice and I thanked her for being so kind and understanding my concern.

I do understand what you're saying though. How do you think I could have better gone about asking the doctor if he had a licensed person to draw up and inject my med?

[woody62, RN]

My PCP is part of a group pratice, that has a N.P., a R.N., two L.P.N.'s and several M.A.'s. I, like the orginial poster worked hard to get my education, to earn my license and to practice. My PCP knows to call the RN or a LPN to give me any injections I need, or to start an IV line when I have needed one, rare as it may be.

I really don't care how much or how little education or experience a M.A. has or doesn't have, they are not licensed. And I don't care if they are working under a physician's license or direction. It is funny how fast the physician deserts his M.A. when she/he is sued. At least with the licensed individual, I know the minimal amount of education and skills they have to have to graduate and pass their licensing exam. And like so many others, I am tired of M.A.'s misrepresenting themselves as their doctor's nurse. When they do, I asked them what school they graduated from and when they were licensed. That brings out the really nurse immediately.

As an individual and as a patient, I have the right to demand to know the skill level and license of anyone touching me. And having had the experience of people misrepresenting themselves, I make no bones about my wishes. Sorry if that offends you Medical Assistants. If you want to call yourself as nurse, go to the appropriate program, graduate and passing the licensing exam. Then you can call yourself a nurse. Until then, please do not refer to yourself as a nurse. And please do not make the mistake to assume that you have the education and experience that I or any other nurse has, you do not.

Woody:paw:

[siggie13]

speaking as someone who has seen the best and worse of care by licensed and unlicensed people, it is your right to question anyone who is going to invade your body with medicine and an injection. i, personally, ask lots of questions when i am receiving treatment and i do not feel i am being overly cautious. people need to take control of their care and make sure the best is being done. good for you for having your best interest at heart. i always say, if you don't care about yourself, who will?!!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Sorry Dutch that should have said "without" and I edited it in my post.

You said your stated objective in this thread was "just want feedback on asking the doctor for a licensed person to give me an injection? Would they? Wouldn't they? Do they think it inappropriate to ask? etc..." This wasn't as clear in the first post and it had the feel of an RN vs MA debate.

I think you chould have asked this question(s) without the story about "I went to school for four years......" because of the other threads on this topic and how heated they become.

Your 2nd post clarifies it a bit, so we can just drop it an move on.

I think you do have a right to make sure the person giving you an injection has the competency and legal license to do so.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

I think you do have a right to make sure the person giving you an injection has the competency and legal license to do so.

Thanks Tweety.

[TiredMD]

she had been in the Army as a medic x 12 years and had alot of experience and understood my concern.

I'm pretty partial to my brothers and sisters who wear the uniform, so I kind of read your story like this:

Here was an MA who was an Army medic for 12 years, meaning she was an NCO, supervising multiple enlisted personnel, probably been to Iraq and back where Medics (at least in the early days of the war) were performing life saving surgery on the battlefield to ensure our soldiers made it home to their wives and kids. Now she's out of the service, and still dedicating herself to delivery of health care to people in need. She's not doing anything wrong, is being polite and professional, just trying to do her job and go home to her family.

And out of the blue, you decide to say this:

"well you know alot of MA's think they are nurses, say they are nurses and they are not. I went to school for 4 years to be able to say I'm a nurse and I really have a problem with MA's who don't understand their scope of practice".

I guess from the tone of your post you don't think there was anything wrong with this, but personally I think it sounds pretty demeaning, and for no apparent reason other than to "test" her. I mean, the procedure she was performing for you was well within her scope of practice.

With all due respect, and certainly I'm not trying to start any kind of flame war here, but if I were that doctor, I probably wouldn't have you as a patient any more after you said that to the MA.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

I agree with Dutchgirl, you just really don't know who is given your injections in a doctors office. More people need to stand up and ask you is doing what to them.

Thanks...that's how I feel about it. Could I have asked in a more diplomatic way? Is there any other way to ask? I wouldn't know what it would be?

I didn't know the ENT office gives alot of injections. I've been going there for years as well as both my parents and both of my grandchildren and no one has ever gotten an injection. At my PCP, I know the MA's well, they've been there for years, they show me the vial they've drawn out of before they inject. I don't ask them to do this they do it for everyone. They do have an LPN in the office in case anyone objects.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

I guess from the tone of your post you don't think there was anything wrong with this, but personally I think it sounds pretty demeaning, and for no apparent reason other than to "test" her. I mean, the procedure she was performing for you was well within her scope of practice.

With all due respect, and certainly I'm not trying to start any kind of flame war here, but if I were that doctor, I probably wouldn't have you as a patient any more after you said that to the MA.

Everyone has a right to their opinion and I respect yours but I'll tell you that if my doctor didn't want me as a patient anymore because I let my feelings be known then I wouldn't want him as my doctor anymore.

I do not intend for this thread to be a flame war and don't take your comment as such. Thanks.

Just out of curiosity...your user ID TiredMD, are you an MD?

[jmgrn65, RN]

Thanks...that's how I feel about it. Could I have asked in a more diplomatic way? Is there any other way to ask? I wouldn't know what it would be?

I didn't know the ENT office gives alot of injections. I've been going there for years as well as both my parents and both of my grandchildren and no one has ever gotten an injection. At my PCP, I know the MA's well, they've been there for years, they show me the vial they've drawn out of before they inject. I don't ask them to do this they do it for everyone. They do have an LPN in the office in case anyone objects.

ENT's tend to give alot of allergy shots, and other meds.

[plumrn, BSN, RN]

I agree you have a right to ask for a licensed nurse. I think you just went a little far, or overboard in your explanation to her. It seemed a little accusatory?

[TiredMD]

Just out of curiosity...your user ID TiredMD, are you an MD?

Yes, I'm a surgical resident. I'm also active duty Navy, which probably colored my opinion on your post quite a bit.

[prmenrs, RN]

You win more flies w/honey than you do w/vinegar.