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?!

[NanikRN]

I don't have one. I'm an RN. I have my own fish to fry in this thread.

Actually Im an RN too. I was trying to use an analagy to point out how it might be if someone falsel claimed the title of cna or medical assistant

[pixiestudent2]

My 16 yo niece took an 8 hour first aid course thru her health class. She 's very bright and learned a lot. In fact, she learned so much from that and volunteering at the hospital and nursing homes that she now thinks she knows as much as the MAs that she admires in the D r office.

So she, in admiration of course, now introduces herself as a Medical Assistant or sometimes a certified nursing assistant. Depends on her mood. Of course she only REALLY had a short first aid class and volunteer hours.

Any problem with that?

I don't care, it's not illegal for starters.

She could probably get hired as an MA, she is qualified.

Other MAs might care though, but this nurse doesn't.

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

I'm sure it's the same reason why some nurses like wearing white coats

I wear street clothes at my job. If I didn't wear a lab coat I wouldn't have any place to put my BP cuff, pens and phone.

[Farawyn]

Actually Im an RN too. I was trying to use an analagy to point out how it might be if someone falsel claimed the title of cna or medical assistant

I know, I saw your name Nani! :)

You asked a question and I answered.

[needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN]

Went to school with someone who had a photo of themselves wearing a work badge that said RN-BSN, and I know damn well this person does NOT have their BSN. I hate when people purport to be something they are not.

[DoGoodThenGo]

A white lab coat was a uniform requirement in both the nursing programs I've been in...of course, I'm not a nurse, so I don't know about practice, but I know in school you may be required to wear one.

Am not picking on you but think "JMed" was made that comment about white coats because back in the day nurses didn't get near. Everyone from students to administration and even in some places DONs all wore uniforms, period. Thus there was a sort of "white coat envy" which went along with "scrub envy".

As late as the 1980's or into the 1990's for some places your uniform while in nursing school would have looked along the lines of this: Not a white coat to be seen except for the instructor.

The rationale against nurses wearing white coats on duty was that "you might be mistaken for a doctor". Never mind the young guys in transport wore the same short white coats as med students.... Nope, the only persons allowed white coats then were med students, post graduates, doctors pretty much. You knew who was what by the length of the thing.

Gradually as uniforms or whites gave way to scrubs for everyone certain other nurses got to wear street clothes or scrubs with a white coat. Everything from supervisors and administrators, nursing instructors, advanced practice nurses.... you get the idea.

Am not saying there is a vast number of doctors wanting to see nurses back in uniforms/whites. However is a segment of that population who believes all this equality with white coats has given nurses "ideas".

[DoGoodThenGo]

I've got some vintage nurse's aprons, could lend you one if you like!

(Ducks and runs)

*LOL*

[SleeepyRN]

am27

"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."

- Seems unlikely that (what as you are describing, sounds like an emergency clinic) there would be no nurses in a setting as described above. If so, I'd take my chances in a true emergency by traveling the 9 extra miles to where nurses are actually employed. This sounds VERY dangerous. That being said, I like the emergency clinic I have gone to before where great MAs are employed along with at least 1 nurse. However, the MAs know their role well, are productive valuable team members, and know they are not performing in the same role as the nurses.

"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!"

- Assessment is a nurse's role, not an MA's. (Funny though, how in another post you claim you do not do this. But I see many inconsistencies with your bating posts.) And unless there are strict written protocols for starting labs and EKGs that have yet to be ordered, you are greatly stepping outside your role, and I wouldn't let someone with such poor judgment so much as check my temperature let alone start performing workups at your discretion. As for setting up rooms....Great job. THAT is your role. Not assessing patients, but gathering data through obtaining v/s. Not ordering your own labs, but following orders by the practitioner and THEN drawing blood for labs. This is a valuable, important role, but NOT nursing as you state below. I'll get to that.

"Medical assistants and LPNs play the same role in every clinic I've ever come in contact with."

- Therein lies the problem. Many MAs truly think they are playing the same role as a nurse with no clue of the brains behind the tasks at hand. You are either diminishing the role of an LPN, or you are saying you perform nursing responsibilities. It sounds to me like you are doing both.

"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 :)"

- A direct quote from you basically saying hospitals are the only places nurses save lives. Which you deny saying. I'm not making this quote up. LPNs (and RNs) are employed in many settings where we save lives on a regular basis. Whether it's with a code and humping on a chest, or notifying the practitioner of s/s of a patient close to circling the drain. Thus getting the patient tx before that even happens. Doing CPR is not the only way to save lives. The general public is taught CPR, it is certainly not a special skill if done as taught. NURSING ASSESSMENT saves lives. You pass along v/s to a practitioner who THEN assesses the patient. An important role, no doubt, but certainly not a job where I'd ever say you save lives for a living.

End rant, and end of debate with you. I have completely had it with your posts. Please, leave Allnurses if we "All Nurses people" offend you so much. Because I am SO DONE with your outright offensive and outrageously defensive posts based not on facts but your emotions. Report my post. Don't care. DONE

[SleeepyRN]

I don't understand why some people lie either. There is nothing Shameful about being a CNA.

EXACTLY!!! Please, people, proudly boast that you are a CNA, an MA a PCT, WHATEVER. But also stop implying that you have the same role as a nurse or "basically do the same thing." I sure was proud to be a CNA and then work as a patient care tech. I drew blood and did EKGs because a nurse assessed a situation, notified the practitioner, then he/she ordered it, and it was delegated to me. End of story. Dr/NP/PA, nurse, then me. I was proud of that role.

[SleeepyRN]

Not all CNA's and MA's do this!! You are making it seem like it happens majority of the time. When I am quite sure that this is not the case!! Quite a few nurses that I have worked wiith are very lazy and think that they are up and above PCT's and I would NEVER feel the need to lie about being one of them!! Most times, patients have better experiences with their tech's/ NA's because we spend the most time with them. If this is happening as much as you are so called witnessing this, then why are you viewing it in such a bad manner!? why not view it as an honor to be admired so much??? Technically as a CNA- Certified NURSING Assistant THEY are are assistant nurses.. I don't see what the big deal is... BESIDES any PCT/ NA that lies about being a nurse will get caught up eventaully because they won't have all the nswers that the nurse has to give to a patient when they start asking questions. I am a CNA/ PCT, AND A MA and I have NEVER identified myself as a NURSE!!

No one is saying you do this or all CNAs or MAs do this. The title of the thread clearly reads, "many," not "all."

[pct333]

you all take yourselves way too seriously

[pixiestudent2]

you all take yourselves way too seriously

Gee sorry for taking our profession seriously.