why do many MAs and CNAs call themselves nurses?

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As I was taking care of a pt, she mentions she's also a nurse. I asked what her specialty is and where she works at. She says she works at a clinic as an MA. In my head, in what universe is an MA a nurse?!

Specializes in Heme Onc.
I've also worn a big RN placard under my photo ID, same thing. All persons in scrubs were considered nurses by most patients

You know whats funny about this is... about 50% of my patients, despite my uniform color, the fact that I'm injecting them with IV medications, my name badge that says "Registered Nurse" on it, they assume I'm a nursing assistant.

Probably because I'm black.

No joke, I've hung chemo on patients who then ask "ok and who is my nurse today"?

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Actually we're being taught in nursing school the importance of returning to coloured uniforms. Many associations have reviewed studies and are coming forward recommending hospitals return to uniforms, with the discussion of implementing nation wide standards again. It's become a serious concern in recent years that patients are misidentifying health care workers, and that both time and potential accidents can be saved by making the identification easier across the board. Of course we are also being taught the importance of properly introducing yourself (including your credentials) at all times as part of this.

Now I'm in Canada so perhaps this isn't being discussed in the states.

It may also be your opinion that coloured uniforms serve no purpose, however that is not one shared with nursing associations, regulators or researchers.

It's actually what many of us are experiencing. Color coded uniforms don't help patients know who is who. It's not a Magnet requirement, either.

People who aren't in the trenches often have different POV than those who are the ones actually providing care.

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You know whats funny about this is... about 50% of my patients, despite my uniform color, the fact that I'm injecting them with IV medications, my name badge that says "Registered Nurse" on it, they assume I'm a nursing assistant.

Probably because I'm black.

No joke, I've hung chemo on patients who then ask "ok and who is my nurse today"?

And they assume the white CNAs are nurses and the white male nurses are doctors and the black male doctors are transporters.

*facepalm*

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Ok so I watched the Teen Mom 2 Finale special & I about died from an aneurism when Jenelle was screaming at her mom about how she will be "saving lives" & all her mom does is work in the deli counter at Walmart.

Jenelle graduated from an MA program & I don't know any MAs who go around saving lives.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
It's actually what many of us are experiencing. Color coded uniforms don't help patients know who is who. It's not a Magnet requirement, either.

People who aren't in the trenches often have different POV than those who are the ones actually providing care.

Our hospital went to color coding about five years ago -- the third change in dress code in two years, each of which mandated me going out and buying new scrubs. The study that we were all given to "prove" that color coding improved patient satisfaction was done by a scrub company and was backed up by a study that nursing administration conducted. The second study consisted of standing at the main entrance to the hospital with a checklist and asking visitors "If nurses wore a certain color of scrubs and ancillary personnel wore a different color, would it help you to know who the nurse was? Would that improve your satisfaction with your loved one's care?" I'm not sure how scientific it was, and the results certainly weren't published, but administration assured us that the results "STRONGLY indicated" that patients and their loved ones would be more happy with the care if staff were color coded.

Five years in, it's the rare patient who can (even with the color coding chart in hand) correctly identify the nurse. Even with "Registered Nurse" embroidered on their chest. Even with an enormous, 3 X 6 inch badge on the other side of the chest with the job title in bold print taking up the whole badge. Even with the nurse's name written on the white board in the room. And even with the screen on their 32 inch TV showing their nurse's picture, name and job title every time they turn the danged thing on, and at 1 hour intervals if they leave it on. Even with all that AND a 56 inch screen by the front desk with the patient's name, room number and the name of the nurse, the families cannot correctly identifying the nurse. Even though the nurse is in the same blue scrubs in every one of those pictures.

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Oh God... Do we have to wear our caps again? :(

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Specializes in Hospice.
Oh God... Do we have to wear our caps again? :(

Hopefully the wheels of change will revolve slowly (think of all the committees and focus groups that will be needed to determine the answer to your question), and I will have retired before that particular indignity comes around again.

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.
Ok so I watched the Teen Mom 2 Finale special & I about died from an aneurism when Jenelle was screaming at her mom about how she will be "saving lives" & all her mom does is work in the deli counter at Walmart.

Jenelle graduated from an MA program & I don't know any MAs who go around saving lives.

Thank Jeebus someone else wanted to call her out on her uh....horse feces.

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In most states, the title "nurse" is protected and therefore, it is illegal to use that title unless you are duly licensed. In other words, these folks are breaking the law and you can contact the BON.

Here in New Zealand, if you call yourself a nurse and you aren't, you get in quite a bit of trouble - from Nursing Council etc. Even as a student nurse, you have to fully identify yourself as a student nurse or risk not finishing your course.

On a side note, what's an MA? I understand that a CNA is like our HCA's (Health Care Assistants), but don't know what MA stands for.

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Specializes in OB.
Here in New Zealand, if you call yourself a nurse and you aren't, you get in quite a bit of trouble - from Nursing Council etc. Even as a student nurse, you have to fully identify yourself as a student nurse or risk not finishing your course.

On a side note, what's an MA? I understand that a CNA is like our HCA's (Health Care Assistants), but don't know what MA stands for.

MA stands for medical assistant. They usually work in doctor's offices or clinics. Their training can vary widely, from "on the job" training in the physician's office (nothing formal) to an expensive program through (usually) a "for profit" technical school. Again, no standard qualifications for training.

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Oh God... Do we have to wear our caps again? :(

I hope not. If someone tries to make me, I swear I'll get a note saying I'm severely allergic to them and can't be seen with one on my head.

If that doesn't work, I'll start a campaign to make the guys wear them too. 😉

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Medical Assistant, no such thing here in NZ

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