Impersonating a nurse

[Elleveein]

So I'm a new grad vn (taking nclex 4/2) I decided to go back to medical assisting in the mean time since jobs are hard to come by for new vn's. So I landed a job at a Urgent care and didn't tell them I was a new grad because they wouldn't have hired me. On my first day they introduced me to the head nurse and then she took me to nurse's station and I met the rest of the nurses at least that's what they called themselves, I asked them "Are u lvns or rns?" And they replied "we're ma's" I was shocked they even had business cards that said nurses they tried to give me some to give my pts in case they needed to call me, that's not even the worst of it even the docs says "my nurse" this is a huge practice 10 + docs and not 1 licensed nurse. These ma's are giving Demerol and I.V's I really don't know what to do, who can I anonymously report this to?

[mmm333, LVN]

CALIFORNIA BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS CODE 2795 SAYS:

2795. Unlawful practice; Misrepresentation of licensee status

Except as provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:

(a) To practice or to offer to practice nursing in this state unless the person holds a license in an active status.

(b) To use any title, sign, card, or device to indicate that he or she is qualified to practice or is practicing nursing, unless the person has been duly licensed or certified under this chapter.

(Added Stats 1939 ch 807 2. Amended Stats 1976 ch 1053 5, effective September 28, 1976; Stats 1983 ch 696 4; Stats 1990 ch 350 2 (SB 2084).)

[Chin up]

We don't wear name tags, which is also illegal in California.

Aww, so it gets even more shady. Unbelievable. But they will continue to get away with this, unless reported, or God forbid, MA's stop going along with this farce. I don't understand how the MA's aren't in fear. To impersonate is a felony.

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

Wow. I've seen threads like this way too often here on this forum & its VERY sad that Dr's are misleading their pt's like this. I have been to several dr's offices here in MD, and the medical assistants always identify themselves as MEDICAL ASSISTANTS. They all seem to take pride in their job as well, and I believe that is important. If they are comfortable in their position, than there is no reason to pretend to be something that they are not.

When my facility was still using med techs, they would identify themselves as a nurse. I'll never forget one time a resident's family member asked to speak to a nurse. One of my co-workers pointed to a med tech and said "Well here's a med tech. They're basically like nurses, just without the title". No they're not "just like nurses". In MD, in order to become a med tech you just have to pay $250 for a 20-hour class. That is hardly like attending nursing school, lol.

[Elleveein, LVN]

Well I reported it so we'll see how long it take for some action.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

You got some colossally bad advice with regard to recording people without their knowledge. You have reported it, now let the authorities do their jobs. If they take care of it-great. If not, leave it alone. My advice to you is to make the most of teachable moments as they arise; educate people as to the titles and roles of staff people in the practice.

[Elleveein, LVN]

I would never record anyone. I sent the email with a picture of the business card, I'm leaving it alone now. I'm sending out resumes and hopefully I'll be out soon.

[APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

http://www.medbd.ca.gov/allied/medical_assistants_training.html

http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/regulations/npr-i-27.pdf

Please post these print-outs in a prominent place within the Dr's office. You can also make several copies of each and place one in each medical assistant's mailbox.

[nursel56]

I'm sorry, but isn't there some sort of education in medical school about who is able to take off/impliment their orders? I see this post over and over. I had to know the scope of practice for my CNA's as well as LPN vs RN. Shouldn't docs know the basic difference between nurse and medical assistant? The name alone should be a hint for someone able to make it through so many years of school. I bet they'd be up in arms in someone decided to call themselves and practice as a Dr who had a certificate.

I would like to think so . . .but it seems to me they write or call an order, and if it isn't done or done soon enough/the right way etc. they get upset and that's pretty much it. I would like to think we nurses were gaining respect in the eyes of the medical world, but medical students say the most appalling things about nurses now than I've ever seen in my life. Many in private practice are strictly business oriented (this in itself isn't a bad thing), but I think if a nurse were able to listen to one of the many practice/business model seminars that abound they would want to march right up and smack the sales types with their purse (symbolically) I read one account where a new doc was told (re: his office staff) "they are there for one purpose only - to keep your rooms filled with patients at all times and take crap from your patients so you don't have to". One further elaborated that he planned never to take Medi-Cal patients and "turning them away was what he planned to pay his staff to do" He hadn't started residency when that was said!

In the office setting it's different than taking off orders - as someone else mentioned in some states (mine is one such) a Medical Assistant can be hired off the street and trained by the doctor, who is liable if that person makes an error. When I researched the question I learned that it is often the physician's malpractice carrier who will insist on a Certified Medical Assistant. I think we can read between the lines on that one!!

[czyja, MSN, RN]

You need to report this to your state BON. MA's are the secretary version of CNAs, but with even less "nursing" knowledge. By presenting themselves as nurses they are committing a crime imo.

Yes. And it is not opinion. Presenting oneself as a nurse without have a license is a crime. Administering IV medications without being a registered nurse is a crime.

And would only ad that this sounds like a very unsafe place for patients. Why are they giving demoral IVs anyway? Demoral is freaking dangerous and nasty- it can cause a prolonged QT interval, torsades, and death.

[Jonathank]

You got some colossally bad advice with regard to recording people without their knowledge. You have reported it, now let the authorities do their jobs. If they take care of it-great. If not, leave it alone. My advice to you is to make the most of teachable moments as they arise; educate people as to the titles and roles of staff people in the practice.

Actually, it varies pretty widely by state. But the OP should definitely make sure to verify whether it's necessary in her state (CA) to obtain consent from all parties before recording.

[Jonathank]

http://www.medbd.ca.gov/allied/medical_assistants_training.html

http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/regulations/npr-i-27.pdf

Please post these print-outs in a prominent place within the Dr's office. You can also make several copies of each and place one in each medical assistant's mailbox.

Well, now we know that most of the assumptions most of us were making are indeed the law in CA. Both of those are pretty clear cut.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

CALIFORNIA BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS CODE 2795 SAYS:

2795. Unlawful practice; Misrepresentation of licensee status

Except as provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:

(a) To practice or to offer to practice nursing in this state unless the person holds a license in an active status.

(b) To use any title, sign, card, or device to indicate that he or she is qualified to practice or is practicing nursing, unless the person has been duly licensed or certified under this chapter.

(Added Stats 1939 ch 807 2. Amended Stats 1976 ch 1053 5, effective September 28, 1976; Stats 1983 ch 696 4; Stats 1990 ch 350 2 (SB 2084).)

The OP should copy that and send it to the physicians and to all the MA's.