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?!

[Girlafraid13]

One of my fb friends does that. She calls herself a nurse but is a CNA, it bothers me.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

One of my fb friends does that. She calls herself a nurse but is a CNA, it bothers me.

How about posting a question to her asking if she's an RN or LPN/LVN? Which license does she hold? And see where it goes from there :)

[SmilingBluEyes]

I would not be friends on FB with someone falsely representing themselves as a licensed nurse, when indeed, they are lying.

[Farawyn]

I would not be friends on FB with someone falsely representing themselves as a licensed nurse, when indeed, they are lying.

I would. Just to follow their Crazy.

[nursehaley91, BSN, RN]

At a few nursing homes around here their CNA's carry the official title of "Care nurse." Which I feel only fuels the confusion. Thankfully all the aides I have worked around there are very quick to point out that they aren't "actual nurses" and don't really refer to themselves as such.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

They do it because they want to take credit for accomplishments they have not earned. Plain and simple.

[SleeepyRN]

For some people I think it is because they want to be a nurse or perceive that they do the same things that a nurse does.

For others, it is just easier to say nurse then explain, or try and discuss the different tiers in health care.

When I was in nursing school and working as a CNA. I would answer CNA when asked the question, and people would then continue to ask what is that? how is that different? so it is like a nurse? I would get so tired of explaining, I would sometimes say when asked if I was a nurse, I would answer "almost" (this was in my last two semesters of school). Once I answered that, there was no follow up.

It is one thing to intentionally deceive someone, especially if there is something to gain. As for the MAs, if the doctor in the clinic is calling them their nurse, then even though it is wrong, I see how they might be confused, or just answer yes out of habit

Instead of saying CNA, I always said nurse assistant. Even though the pt or general population may not know the roles of the 2, at least saying assistant isn't deceptive. Even a very brief description can suffice.

"I'm a nursing assistant. I have a certificate to help nurses with certain tasks." Nuff said.

[kakamegamama]

Well, goodness......illegal, illegal, illegal. And, it is reportable. And, it should be.

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

I think for MA's, it is easier for them to be referred to as nurse in the physician's office. They don't have to explain the differences. It really bugs me though. My new doctor in a larger clinic has a MA as his assistant. On her name tag, it has Medical Assistant and then below it Nursing. So the name tag identifies her as an MA and her department is Nursing. I love my Dr. so am not going to change because of this, but I find that I do have to scrutinize some of the things she says. I think she gets nervous around me because she knows I am a nurse.

[Farawyn]

I think she gets nervous around me because she knows I am a nurse.

Good.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

I'm a CHHA and had no problem correcting my patient when she called me a nurse. Nope, I'm not a nurse yet and would not feel comfortable taking on the responsibilities of a nurse.

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

I think it's crap. There was a doc at my old clinic who called the MAs nurses and I would correct him.[/QUOTe]

Start calling everyone "Doctor." Their attitude will change in a HURRY.