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 Oncology; medical specialty website.
A CNA is a certified nurse assistant, granted we don't administer meds or shouldn't, yet we are trained in the medical field with procedures and terminology yes the studied should continue to become licenced but everyone starts somewhere and I think it's a unity like cops brothers in blue, yes I am an x police officer, it's giving back and tending to the care of the patients that is a common goal so not to take credit away from RNs or LVNs ,CNA and MA do have a place in the nursing realm. ..Together we stand, divided we fall.

CNAs and MAs are not nurses and not part of the nursing profession. Are they important to patient care? Sure. But they are not part of the nursing profession.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Ok just to clarify I do agree one should not claim to be something they are not if your a CNA then be proud of that that doesn't undermine you in any means in the medical profession but don't disillusion yourself thinking your an RN title does matter.

An RN title if licensed as an RN DOES matter. So does CNA, LPN, APN, MD, DO, PA-C. There is no disillusion. You seem to implying an RN has more self-importance than other members of the health care team which for most it does not. A licensed nurse is not under any illusion of their legal rights, responsibilities and scope of practice.

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Wow lets not get ugly and say CNA or MA is not part of the nursing realm it's a step towards becoming license I'm continuing to achieve my LVN , AND I encourage CNAs and MAs to do the same if they wish but come on lets not be ugly and undermine those of us who do respect the TITLE done people like cops become badge heavy same with ALL professions and yea there are nurses who think they should be doctors cuz of the responsibility they endure yet do not have the TITLE either way just keep striving for better and know who you call friend

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Wow lets not get ugly and say CNA or MA is not part of the nursing realm it's a step towards becoming license I'm continuing to achieve my LVN , AND I encourage CNAs and MAs to do the same if they wish but come on lets not be ugly and undermine those of us who do respect the TITLE done people like cops become badge heavy same with ALL professions and yea there are nurses who think they should be doctors cuz of the responsibility they endure yet do not have the TITLE either way just keep striving for better and know who you call friend

First of all, punctuation is your friend.

Secondly, not all CNAs and MAs go on to become LPNs and RNs.

We are taking issue with those that don't, but refer to themselves as such. Savvy?

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Sorry lack of punctuation can really send things into a frenzy...what was meant is TITLE matters if it is earned, not to go around calling yourself a nurse if you don't carry the licences that gives you the title...Sorry for the miss interruption

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Okay, I guess we agree on the punctuation AND the subject at hand. Got it.

Sorry lack of punctuation can really send things into a frenzy...what was meant is TITLE matters if it is earned, not to go around calling yourself a nurse if you don't carry the licences that gives you the title...Sorry for the miss interruption
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And on that note I concur, again don't claim something your not...we can advise this till end of time for me it says allot about ones character .

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And on that note I concur, again don't claim something your not...we can advise this till end of time for me it says allot about ones character .

Darn tootin'.

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An RN title if licensed as an RN DOES matter. So does CNA, LPN, APN, MD, DO, PA-C. There is no disillusion. You seem to implying an RN has more self-importance than other members of the health care team which for most it does not. A licensed nurse is not under any illusion of their legal rights, responsibilities and scope of practice.

Gcossio's lack of punctuation makes her(his?) posts difficult to understand. I don't think she was trying to say the RN title doesn't matter, I think there was supposed to be a comma after 'RN' and I think the 'your' there was supposed to be 'you're'.

Re-written correctly, the sentence reads: ".....but don't disillusion yourself thinking you're an RN, title does matter."

I'm going to guess this was the intended meaning.

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Gcossio's lack of punctuation makes her(his?) posts difficult to understand. I don't think she was trying to say the RN title doesn't matter, I think there was supposed to be a comma after 'RN' and I think the 'your' there was supposed to be 'you're'.

Re-written correctly, the sentence reads: ".....but don't disillusion yourself thinking you're an RN, title does matter."

I'm going to guess this was the intended meaning.

He clarified, slowpoke. ^

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He clarified, slowpoke. ^

Foiled again by my slow typing...

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Thank you, exactly...I'm pretty new to this forum world and how it works and to top it off I'm using my phone ...coming into the new tech I suppose lol, but yea thank you for clarifying my post hate to be the new kid and have enemies already lol I'm looking to y'all for my guidance to achieve my lvn licences...

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