MAs call themselves Nurses at my office..opinions please?

Nurses Relations

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  1. Is it okay for MAs to refer to themselves as nurses?

    • 185
      No way!! They are not nurses and do not have same scope of practice as LPN or RN
    • 1
      Might be okay...depends on the circumstances.
    • 1
      It's okay as long as no one gets hurt.
    • 6
      Don't care if they call themselves nurses.

193 members have participated

Hi,

I have been an LPN for 2 1/2 years and am a new Grad-RN since 9/2011. I got a job working at a Dermatology Office last November. It's the only job I could get, and I am making the best of it. They have me training to work with all the providers...general pathodermatologists, cosmetic dermatologists and the Moh's Cancer surgeon. It was not my first choice, but I am very grateful for the opportunity and grateful to all who are helping train me.

My question is this...while I have the GREATEST respect for the Medical Assistants who work there and really know their stuff, they refer to themselves as nurses to the patients in person and when making phone calls to patients. I have to say, as someone who worked SO hard for my RN, this really bothers me. I'll reiterate...I respect them, BUT they are not nurses. I wouldn't even think of referring to myself as a PA or MD. One of the MAs said it just makes it easier to refer to all of us as nurses.

May I have your opinions on this matter? I don't want to rock the boat as a newbie. There are other RNs who work in the office. I haven't asked them if it bothers them. Would it bother you? Thanks!!!

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Well not really. What I said applies pretty generally. I wouldn't introduce myself verbally to someone, colleague or no, with my title after my name. I just say nurse.

And yes, a BM is a BM. The point I was trying to make there is that there is a difference between not liking something that is said vs. that thing being altogether wrong.

'The sky is baby blue today' 'No, it's more of an azure'. I disagree on specifics, but the sky is blue regardless.

'The sky is purple with green polka dots.'

See the difference there if we take out the BM comparison?

I see no offence at all if an LPN refers to him/herself as a nurse. Eh, I might take a little if a CNA does, because a CNA is a nurse's assistant, not a nurse. That would be falsely elevating your status.

Yes, I get what you explain, that what the public thinks of as a doctor or a nurse is an MD or an RN, not someone with a doctorate or an LPN, and I'm sure your average Joe has no idea of the scope of practice differences between LPN, RN, ADN, BSN, wtv.

But let's face it, if you really want to talk average population, that brings it back to the OP. Your average patient probably doesn't get that there is a huge difference between an MA and a nurse. But an MA calling themselves a nurse is a WHOLE LOT more misleading than an LPN referring to themselves as a nurse. Because the MA is NOT EVEN a little bit a nurse. The LPN is. The NP with a doctorate is doctor, even if they aren't MDs.

Lol, I just had a mental image of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory insisting on being called Dr, and making fun of Howard for not having HIS doctorate.

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Yes! You are correct! See, we have all agreed the entire time and didn't know it! I am going to learn how females communicate on this site. The tongue lashing will only make me a better communicator and nurse.:cheeky: It can be tough to grasp an understanding of where others are coming from when the communication being done is on the net.:cheeky: I love this thing.:cheeky: I wish the tongue went in and out of its mouth without stopping.:yes:

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Oh Slasher. Seriously? I bet you would be fun to work with. And i look forward to seeing you get into much more trouble around here in the future.....:wideyed::yes::no::madface::eek::roflmao:

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It is fun working with me CrunchRN.:yes: You will see me around here in the future also. I will walk softly though...not sure how many warnings I get before the eyes in the sky kick me off :cheeky:

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Yes! You are correct! See, we have all agreed the entire time and didn't know it! I am going to learn how females communicate on this site. The tongue lashing will only make me a better communicator and nurse.:cheeky: It can be tough to grasp an understanding of where others are coming from when the communication being done is on the net.:cheeky: I love this thing.:cheeky: I wish the tongue went in and out of its mouth without stopping.:yes:

I can't read this without visions of the poor truck driver's fate in the movie Thelma and Louise.

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I can't read this without visions of the poor truck driver's fate in the movie Thelma and Louise.

Best. Movie. Ever.

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

It's illegal in my state to use the term nurse if you are not licensed as an LPN or RN, so MAs wouldn't call themselves nurses for long here. If you are not licensed as a nurse, you shouldn't use the title 'nurse.'

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