I was fired by an MA at orthopedic clinic

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Okay first time writing on the message board I worked at USC in an orthopedic clinic. My manager was an MA who I think was intimidated by me because I was a LVN and she was an MA I followed all the rules and was a team player my agency called me after my shift and said that they did not want me to go back because the manager complained that I did not follow directions im so upset and hurt I am even questioning if nursing is the field I need to be in, I received compliments everyday from staff that I was doing a good job. I do believe the MA did not like me I saw her take medication from the pyxis without authorization because she was not a license nurse. I need some advice.

I agree completely but that is what happened.

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MAs get called Nurse all of the time. Frankly the public has no idea of the difference which is a shame. It sucks getting fired, but sounds like it was inevitable. Brush yourself off and move on. I certainly wouldn't let this to make me doubt myself.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I'm sorry OP. I'm sure it doesn't feel good, but agree with the others that it sounds like this was for the best.

Side note: my kids' ped clinic has an RN w/ a bunch of MAs. An MA was the one that got the child's measurements, VS, and did the vax's. One of the MDs (retired now) always used to say "The nurses will be in with their shots." It fried me to no end. I'd reply with stuff like "You mean the MA will be in?" Or "Oh, you have actual nurses giving the shots now? It always used to be an MA." ;)

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It sucks to get fired. It sucks to get fired by someone you feel is inferior to you. However, a manager of day to day business activities does not have to be clinically over you. In today's changing work environments you can have an EMT-Basic be a manager over RNs from the business side.

Nurses are also not the only ones who have access to a Pyxis med dispensing system. MAs are allowed to administer medications with direction of a physician. If she had access to a Pyxis, she may have been authorized to administer medications within her scope. The Pyxis is designed to track activity. One would have to be very stupid to allow someone use their access code to a Pyxis. Since you have given some identification info about your former employer you could be opening up a can of worms where you might have to defend your accusations.

If your state is an "AT WILL" work state, your employer does not have to give a reason. Obviously there was friction with you and this MA just like the mere mention of MAs on this forum makes some get on edge.

You also must be honest with yourself about whatever role you might have had in this. Coming to an anonymous forum where you know you can get support merely on the us against them factor will only go so far.

Good luck with your future endeavors.

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When i was first hired at my current job, there was an MA who had been there years before me. She made my life miserable, bad mouthing me to patients and other staff about me. She was mad that I got paid higher than her even though i had no experience because i had a BSN. After two years she was finally fired because she would be rude to patients, sleep on the job, come to work hungover etc.

I say you are better off not working there. You will later find a job that has a not so stressful environment. One that does not endanger your nursing license.

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Thank You for your kind words

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That's a sad situation.I heard a lot of horror stories about MA's dominating our clinics.They can always make trouble for the RNs especially if they have worked there for a long time.I was going to transfer to our clinic but my co workers discouraged me because of that I finally said "Forget it" so I stayed where I was happy with the people I worked with....

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My first nursing job last less than a month because I refused to be treated like anything less than my real title.

I was the only actual nurse in an office. I wasn't given a key so I had to knock to get in before the office opened in the morning or after lunch. I was told I had to wash, dry and put up the exam gowns. The MA was always called the nurse.

Had enough and told them it just wasn't going to be a good match.

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