Ok, we've just switched doctors under our medical plan. So I go in for a routine checkup, etc. at this clinic. They tell me the nurse will be with me shortly. Of course, since I'm a student, I always ask nurses how they like their jobs etc. So I ask: You're a nurse, right? She nods. How do you like the job ... blah, blah blah ... Not once did she correct me. Then I ask where she went to school. When she names the school, I'm confused because I've never heard of it.
That's when she says, "Oh ... I'm an MA."
Then the doctor comes in, and tells me "the nurse will be with you shortly." I'm like ... what nurse? Then I find out that everybody at the "Nurses Station" is actually an MA, but everyone, from the receptionist to the doctors, are referring to these MA's as nurses. My husband, who has to go in fairly frequently, says they told him the same thing ... that these MA's were nurses.
Now, I don't know if there's actually anything wrong with this, and maybe this isn't a big deal but, it seemed really weird to me. I've been to other doctor's offices where the staff was very careful to tell me they were MA's, not nurses. Especially when I asked if they were a nurse or not.
Any thoughts? Is this allowed? Why would even doctors refer to MA's as nurses?
The problem is obvious. However, perception and assumptions do not equal unlawfulness. So, it is not UNLAWFUL to say you are a nurse, it is UNLAWFUL to impersonate an RN, LPN, etc...
This is weird. Have you missed all the previous posts? Or, are you just choosing to ignore them?
In at least some states, including California, is IS unlawful for an MA (as well as others) to say you are a nurse when you are not.
Doesn't mean that it is ILLEGAL in some states to say "I am a nurse". It is illegal in all states to say "I am an RN".
(Sigh, sigh, sigh, sigh)
If someone says "i'm a nurse", the person they are talking to will assume there is RN or LPN title.
For anyone to refer to themselves as a nurse when in fact they do not hold a license is false representation of that profession, since you must be licensed (or Registered) to be a nurse. (deja vu)
But, hey, if some people are fine with a person refering to themselves as a nurse when in fact they are not, then i guess they're ok with anyone coming off the street and calling themselves a doctor.
If someone says "i'm a nurse", the person they are talking to will assume there is RN or LPN title.
For anyone to refer to themselves as a nurse when in fact they do not hold a license is false representation of that profession, since you must be licensed (or Registered) to be a nurse. (deja vu)
But, hey, if some people are fine with a person refering to themselves as a nurse when in fact they are not, then i guess they're ok with anyone coming off the street and calling themselves a doctor.
Sigh, sigh, sigh back at ya.
Nope. You yourself used the term "RN or LPN title".
Some states it is not illegal to use the term "nurse".
Are you considering the term "nurse" in itself a title? If it were, then to call yourself "nurse" would definitely be illegal. However, the word is not considered a title. RN, LPN, NP, those are titles.
Maybe this item from Oregon could clear it up:
(a) A nurse imposter. As used here "nurse imposter" means an individual who has not attended or completed a nursing education program or who is ineligible for nursing licensure as a LPN or RN and who practices or offers to practice nursing or uses any title, abbreviation, card, or device to indicate that the individual is licensed to practice nursing in Oregon;
Do we have any nurse attorneys or BON members on the board? I think they could clear this up quite effectively, because while i get what you are saying Mchrisco, I highly doubt someone would get off on a technicality if reported. "oh i never said i was a REGISTERED nurse...." kind of like a janitor at a hospital in a white coat dispensing medical advice then when caught trying to get off by saying "well i only said i was Dr. Jane Doe, not Jane doe MD." Sorry, pretty sure that won't fly. Obvious and reasonable assumptions mean a lot in the eyes of the law. (reasonable doubt, preponderance of evidence etc..)
FYI an example of how dangerouse the public thinking someone is a nurse could be: I was working as a phlebotomist a few years ago and was at the sink in the patients room washing my hands. The housekeeper comes in to get the garbage (wearing scrubs). The patient says, "NURSE could you please get me a glass of water". The housekeeper NEVER responded by saing "Oh I'm not a nurse" and gives the patient a glass of water. Well this patient was on fluid restriction. There was a sign above her bed stating that, but the housekeeper did not know to look there first and gave her a drink. What else could happen?
Any MA who presents themself as an LPN, RN, NP or PA and doesn't correct the MD or patient is wrong of a very serious infraction. This is both etically and legally wrong. The party misrepresenting themself can be brought up on charges for impersonation of a medical professional. And yes LPNs are professional.
My own little story goes back to 1992 (I was an LPN) and I took my then 12 y/o son in to the allergist's office for his allergy shots. He got the shot from someone with a nametag on, but no credentials listed and then we went back to the waiting room. After about 5 minutes, the site was red and itching (not an unusual occurrence), then he began to clear his throat and he said he was having trouble breathing. I alerted the receptionist who stated to me, "I'll get the nurse." Out comes the person who gave him the shot - I said - "he needs some epi right now and he also needs some benadryl." By this time my son is becoming stridorous and restless. The two looked at me with blank looks on their faces and I hollered at them to "get the doctor." I ended up using our own Epi-Pen on my son and I was the one who called 911!!!!! The doctor got the oxygen out for my son and drew up some IM benadryl. Went to the ER and was admitted to ICU - almost died!!!! Now, does everyone see the problem with employing "nurses" that aren't LPNs or RNs??? Needless to say, I reported this entire office to the board of nursing plus the AMA because what the heck did this doctor think he was doing w/o a real nurse in his office??? Very frustrating indeed. You know - this idiotic doctor (and I still blame him to this day) was just trying to cut expenses by hiring non-licensed assistive personel instead of the real thing...glad my son survived this idiot's cost-cutting strategies! (Can you tell that even after 12 years I'm still so upset?)
Sheri257
3,905 Posts
This is weird. Have you missed all the previous posts? Or, are you just choosing to ignore them?
In at least some states, including California, is IS unlawful for an MA (as well as others) to say you are a nurse when you are not.