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?!

I worked with a CNA at my last LTC facility who, according to her husband, was the DON. He told numerous people in our small community this. In actuality she was the lead CNA on day shift. I think he must have been a little confused. Lol.

I currently work with a MA who not only calls herself a nurse but thinks she's a doctor as well. She's always telling us we need to call the doc for this and that and suggesting what he needs to order. One day I was on the phone with the doc and she was chirping in the background about ordering this or that. I proceeded to tell the doc to hold on one minute that the QMA had some suggestions. I then put her on speaker phone with him. Let's just say her suggestions did not go over well. She was more than a little embarrassed when the whole thing was over. For some reason she's never around when I call the doctor anymore.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I just found out that the person in charge of Psych/Soc at our agency told one of the Social Workers "I've been around this medical stuff for so long I'm practically a nurse! Matter of fact, I probably know enough to BE a nurse!" (She's some type of Social Worker, not clear on her credentials.)

THAT explains why she hijacks Team meeting at every opportunity and tries to tell the nurses how they should be doing their jobs.

Needless to say, she makes me feel bitey on a regular basis.

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enuf_already:

THAT goes without saying! EOE.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Ruby Vee, yes, you are wrong. My intelligence is higher than to waste my time answering your rude post to that person.

Actually, I'm not wrong. And as for your intelligence level -- let me just say you've already answered my post.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
The only "research" I can find in support of color coding staff is facility propaganda and wait for it......

Companies that sell scrubs.

And the two students who were convinced that research supports color coding of staff . . . .

haven't produced a link to their data.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Well I've yet to see any peer reviewed studies being supplied from yourself or anyone else disagreeing with colour coded uniforms, and at this moment in time I have too much homework to find one, but I'll see if one of my instructors can link one for me. That being said so long as this is just a matter of opinion I think I'm going to stick with believing what my professors and the associations recommend, as they are far more likely to be up to date on latest research. I'll keep an open mind if anyone has any studies about it though, thanks.

Keep in mind that your professors and the associations don't actual WORK in the hospitals that they're suggesting color coding . . . .

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Medical Assistant, no such thing here in NZ

I realise that, as I also realise that most of the nurses on this forum are probably from America. I was asking for an explanation of them so I could understand what they were talking about and their role in the health field, and whether we had anything similar. :)

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The other day one of the cardiologists I work with told me, "I think of you as one of the nurses," and I was quick to tell him, "WELL, DON'T!" I don't know if that was a compliment or what, I just do not want ANYONE to mistake me for a nurse.

Re: color coded uniforms, I worked in a facility that did this and the large majority of patients/families don't know or care what a CNA is or how their scope of practice differs from that of a RN. I get screamed at for not giving meds despite being very clear that I can't.

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Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.
Well I've yet to see any peer reviewed studies being supplied from yourself or anyone else disagreeing with colour coded uniforms, and at this moment in time I have too much homework to find one, but I'll see if one of my instructors can link one for me. That being said so long as this is just a matter of opinion I think I'm going to stick with believing what my professors and the associations recommend, as they are far more likely to be up to date on latest research. I'll keep an open mind if anyone has any studies about it though, thanks.

Liley Rose quote--->.

Very true. Research out shows that uniforms that are standardized between one role to another has it's benefits to our patients. >

------You see the difference is we didn't make any claims about color coded uniforms.

You did.

And -as you'll learn as you get further in school- the buden of proof ( citations) is on the one making claims

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
i'll go get the starch!

Just don't be hiding in the closet eating it! (Was that your story or someone else's?)

And I hate the thought of wearing a cap. Never had to wear one in nursing school and have no desire to wear one now. Although being in the OR means no cap.

And add me to club color coding does nothing.

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The other day one of the cardiologists I work with told me, "I think of you as one of the nurses," and I was quick to tell him, "WELL, DON'T!" I don't know if that was a compliment or what, I just do not want ANYONE to mistake me for a nurse.

Re: color coded uniforms, I worked in a facility that did this and the large majority of patients/families don't know or care what a CNA is or how their scope of practice differs from that of a RN. I get screamed at for not giving meds despite being very clear that I can't.

I agree and can relate. We wear color coded scrubs, from nurses to housekeeping and even dietary. We introduce ourselves and our titles. Makes no difference. Dietary still get asked by patients to reposition them. Oh, lordy.

As far as being yelled at by patients regarding meds....ughhh that stinks. I was a CNA and believe me, I get it. Patients will complain to anyone. I understand that they feel the need to be heard. But don't EVEN take it out on the CNAs. When I'm approached by a CNA regarding meds, I make sure I pop my head in the patient's room real quick and say that CNA so and so told me you need your pain medication. I'll finish up what I'm doing and get your meds. I just didn't want you to think anyone forgot about you. It has helped A LOT.

This does a few things:

1: It furthers patients' trust with the CNA that he/she did tell me, that they spoke on the patient's behalf.

2: it prevents patients (in a lot of cases, but ya can't please everyone) from complaining to the CNA. No, if there is a complaint, take it up with me. NOT the CNA. It's not their fault that I can't get to them yet.

3: Even if it does take a while to get to them, I have found they are much less aggravated than if I hadn't popped my head in to begin with. Same wait time, but the patient feels heard.

CNAs work too hard to take the brunt of a problem the patient has with the nurse.

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why does it bother you so much.

It personally doesn't bother me having to wear a certain color scrubs. But that's only because I like the ceil blue the nurses wear. The aides though, bleh. I would have hated it if I had to wear that color as a CNA.

Second reason it doesn't bother me is because I still get to wear my "cute" or "pretty" scrubs at my PRN job.

As far as evidence that color coding prevents patient and family confusion....well there isn't good evidence. You can have nurse and nursing assistant written all over you, but until the general public understands the difference between the roles, there will always be confusion.

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