why do many MAs and CNAs call themselves nurses?

[murseforever]

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?!

[meowmeowchirp, BSN]

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

As I stated initially, it's what we're being taught in school. And I've already acknowledged that I don't have proof at the moment either as linking you to articles that are on my schools database won't work well for you? Anyhow, my only point was if I don't have hard evidence either way I'm going with the professors and associations, whom actually study such things, rather than the opinion of floor nurses. You're individual experiences don't offer anything on a large scale. However I'm sure your opinion is appreciated with concerns to your own hospital. Anywhoo seeing as I'm in Canada and as far as I'm aware those replying are American, it's really not all that relevant anyways. And I do believe it was New Foundland that's implementing it...

My only point initially is that it's what is being taught in nursing schools again. That is all.

[JenERally]

What are people's thoughts on a single color scrub for everyone? Starting next year all nurses, CNAs, transporters, etc have to wear navy scrubs embroidered with the hospital's logo because apparently patients were overwhelmingly in favor of it to help identify their healthcare team. Personally I think everyone wearing the same color makes absolutely no sense and will go over like a fart in church....

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

MA saves 2 lives where nurses save lives daily.

MAs work in clinic settings where the likelihood is slim that they would ever have to do CPR or anything to save a patient.

Whereas nurses work in settings & do things every day to save lives.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

why does it bother you so much.

Please use the "quote" function so we can tell to whom you're being disrespectful.

[Pinkpenny]

I work in a residential recovery facility where patients reside anywhere from 28 days to 3 months. I am constantly referred to as "nurse" by patients & staff.

I tell them all the time "I'm the medical assistant, not the nurse." And I work with an RN & APN whom they're all fully aware of yet, they continue to refer to me as "nurse.". I'll admit there are times I get sick of correcting them so don't bother. Also, I have absolutely NO DESIRE to become a nurse. I'm just one of those well-rounded individuals who has worked in healthcare all my life, received a lot of training, both in school & on the job and eventually got certified; though again, I have no desire to become a nurse. I'm content as an MA.

[am27]

MA saves 2 lives where nurses save lives daily.

MAs work in clinic settings where the likelihood is slim that they would ever have to do CPR or anything to save a patient.

Whereas nurses work in settings & do things every day to save lives.

Why do you feel the need to put down other professions? I worked in a clinic that did not employ nurses on site so yeah, I was the one administering first aid. without another clinic at the very least OR hospital or urgent care less than 9 miles radius. I have been very important in the role of caring for patients assuming because it's a clinic it is equipped for any medical problems. People walking in with PE's, lacerations, shock symptoms, burns, chest pain, bacterial meningitis, the list goes on.

"MA's work in clinics where the likelihood is slim that they would ever have to do CPR or anything to save a patient."

Your All Nurses posse will continue to accuse me of being the negative person, but your posts continue to bash other important people!

Medical assistants are the ones that first see the patient and get a general sense of their condition when they come in, and a good medical assistant will be aware of concerning signs and symptoms and take further steps. Many times I've positioned patients to help with breathing, obtain EKGs before the doc even has to ask, start running labs that are pertinent, and set up procedure rooms stat for lac repairs or casting or whatever!

Medical assistants and LPNs play the same role in every clinic I've ever come in contact with. Idk why you are so against something so similar to your own role.

In my state, LPNs DO NOT work in hospitals AT ALL so I could say the same "not saving lives" mumbo jumbo that you said right back at you. But I won't :)

[shedevilprincss]

I asked one of my dear friends who is a CMA if she ever calls herself a nurse. She told me absolutely not because she has a completely different job than a nurse, but admitted she didn't realize that until she worked with nurses in an outpatient office. However, if a patient calls her Dr. X's 'nurse' she doesn't correct it. (Which I can see the rationale of it being confusing to the patient to try and make a distinction if it's not likely to make a difference in the long run and she's not acting outside her scope of practice).

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In my state, LPNs DO NOT work in hospitals AT ALL so I could say the same "not saving lives" mumbo jumbo that you said right back at you. But I won't :)

Lives are saved outside the acute care hospital, too. LPNs help save lives at nursing homes, extended care facilities, complicated private duty cases, physical rehabilitation centers, and home health visits where the patient is obviously circling the drain.

I know I am slightly off-topic, but I am sick and tired of the acute care hospital setting being placed on an exalted pedestal as if it's the only place where lives are saved.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Lives are saved outside the acute care hospital, too. LPNs help save lives at nursing homes, extended care facilities, complicated private duty cases, physical rehabilitation centers, and home health visits where the patient is obviously circling the drain.

I know I am slightly off-topic, but I am sick and tired of the acute care hospital setting being placed on an exalted pedestal as if it's the only place where lives are saved.

Thank you & I am too!

Did I ever mention hospital? No. I never worked in a hospital but I saved many lives when I worked in corrections & psych.

[Farawyn]

Thank you & I am too!

Did I ever mention hospital? No. I never worked in a hospital but I saved many lives when I worked in corrections & psych.

Moreso.

Still. I love the hospital. *sigh*

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Moreso.

Still. I love the hospital. *sigh*

Lol. I've never worked in a hospital. *shrugs* But my heart is in corrections & then leans towards psych.

[am27]

Lives are saved outside the acute care hospital, too. LPNs help save lives at nursing homes, extended care facilities, complicated private duty cases, physical rehabilitation centers, and home health visits where the patient is obviously circling the drain.

I know I am slightly off-topic, but I am sick and tired of the acute care hospital setting being placed on an exalted pedestal as if it's the only place where lives are saved.

Just as other professions outside of nurses save lives. I never even implied that saving lives only happens in acute care hospitals. OrganizedChaos first said that medical assistants only work in clinics and are never in a position to even perform CPR or save lives. An obviously ignorant and demeaning statement.

Also - patients that are circling the drain are not forbidden to enter clinics. I've also seen patients code in clinics. All I'm trying to say is these generalizations from OC are not respectful.