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?!

[Farawyn]

Just to clarify - it is ILLEGAL in many states to refer to oneself as Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or even just *nurse* if that person does not hold a license as RN or LPN.

Also, doctor is a title, not a profession and I wish our society would say physician when they are discussing and MD/DO. Would make a lot more sense.

PP said who cares.

I agree with you, NL.

[Nurse Leigh]

PP said who cares. I agree with you.

Sorry - was responding to that person, actually. I was sorta trying to sum up what everyone else (including you) has said but I doubt it will work. :) I often agree with you!

Oh, and remember that it can sometimes put things in perspective if you read someone's posting history. wink wink

[Farawyn]

Sorry - was responding to that person, actually. I was sorta trying to sum up what everyone else (including you) has said but I doubt it will work. :) I often agree with you!

Oh, and remember that it can sometimes put things in perspective if you read someone's posting history. wink wink

Hahhaha! Oh deers. :)

You know me. You think I didn't do that? Which is why I just "let it go" in my last post.

[ORDC]

Just to clarify - it is ILLEGAL in many states to refer to oneself as Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or even just *nurse* if that person does not hold a license as RN or LPN.

Also, doctor is a title, not a profession and I wish our society would say physician when they are discussing and MD/DO. Would make a lot more sense.

I tend to disagree about the physician part. I was a chiropractor in Oregon and a chiropractor can call themselves, "Chiropractic physician." Or "Physician" but it has to be abundantly clear in advertisements the person calling themselves a physician is a chiropractic physician.

[ORDC]

Just to clarify - it is ILLEGAL in many states to refer to oneself as Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or even just *nurse* if that person does not hold a license as RN or LPN.

Also, doctor is a title, not a profession and I wish our society would say physician when they are discussing and MD/DO. Would make a lot more sense.

Also, if a person calls themselves a nurse, and it is illegal to do so, give a warning. Happens again, report them. And they should be terminated. I find it hard to believe any healthcare facility would risk lawsuits or other repercussions to keep a person on board who is doing something illegal.

But overall, if a person does that in their private social life who cares. . . I would not associate with them, but I could not care less about them.

[Nurse Leigh]

Also, if a person calls themselves a nurse, and it is illegal to do so, give a warning. Happens again, report them. And they should be terminated. I find it hard to believe any healthcare facility would risk lawsuits or other repercussions to keep a person on board who is doing something illegal.

But overall, if a person does that in their private social life who cares. . . I would not associate with them, but I could not care less about them.

But as you have pointed out, you are not a nurse, and most of us decrying the use of the title nurse when it has not been earned are nurses. So maybe that is why we disagree with you.

[Nurse Leigh]

Hahhaha! Oh deers. :)

You know me. You think I didn't do that? Which is why I just "let it go" in my last post.

Clearly I'm having trouble with letting it go....

I have no self restraint when it comes to yummy food, either! :)

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

Clearly I'm having trouble with letting it go....

I have no self restraint when it comes to yummy food, either! :)

Here ya go, NL 😇

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

I would tell the office "nurse" that most primary care practices hire assistants rather than nurses to control expenses. I would ask her if she provides infusion therapy or wound care or other skilled nursing procedures.

If she said no then I would ask why do they hire RNs here?

Once she admits that she is not a nurse, I would let her know what the fine is for using the title without a

license. Many of these office assistants dont know that they are doing anything wrong.

I would let her know that being a nurse impostor and

providing skilled nursing services is considered fraud.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Loved the movie about the story, "Catch Me If You Can"! Fascinating.

But yes, brains is most definitely required to pull off a believable scam. So it would seem that the only people truly being fooled by the delusional story-tellers would be, well.....fools.

It's on right now.

[OCNRN63, RN]

This thread truly scares the crap out of me! I think it's called "illusions of grandeur" and it's scary how many people know someone that is trying to pass themselves off as a nurse.

Delusions of grandeur, not "illusions."

[ORDC]

To clarify, I have my RN license, having successfully passed the NCLEX-RN exam. Though, admittedly, new to nursing. Looking for that first year of nursing experience. After that, I do not know what I am going to do.

I have had so many licenses in my life, it should make a person weep I have yet to find my niche. EMT, insurance, commodities, chiropractic, substitute teacher credentialing, etc. . .

In the end, for myself, I do not feel like a nurse. I do not think even after a couple of years doing it I will feel like a nurse. I have had to varied a career history to pin myself as anything specific. I think it goes back to when I was a kid. I learned a word. "Dilettante." I wanted to be a dilettante. A jack of all trades, master of none.