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?
If someone refers to them self as a nurse in a medical facility, then just what is the point. Ummm maybe to have the person think they are a RN or LPN. What other point would there be. Everyone assumes a nurse is someone who went to nursing school and hence an RN or LPN. So when a MA says she is a nurse, then she is indeed impersonating a nurse. And the only nurses I know of are RNs and LPNs. Therefore, she is impersonating a RN or LPN.
I disagree. Look through this thread. Many persons (not me) discuss Docs calling their staff "nurse". I really don't think all of these Docs are trying to convince patients that staff are RNs or LPNs. Too conspiracy, too far-fetched. They are just using the term as a generalization.
Remember, differentiate between the word "nurse" and the term "Registered nurse". Two separate things.
When a person says they are a "nurse", some states: not illegal. To say they are a "RN": illegal.
Just because the only nurses that you know are RNs or LPNs does not mean that the rest of the population knows about the different titles in medicine.
yeah...agree with you, but also would like to add that if anyone refers to themselves as a registered nurse and provides care to you, and you find out that this person was not a nurse,please contact your insurence carrier and report that. Also, if a Dr. is that ignorant that he does not even know the difference between a registered nurse and a medical asst, then that is one dumb Dr.By the way, is it me or is the world getting more stupid by the minute!!
Any position is important in a ......health care setting. I am irritated, however, by those who refer to non-nurses as nurses. It took lots of hard work & time to attain the earned title of Registered Nurse! What others achieve should be recognized in it's own right. I worked with a CRNA who defended that idea to a MD who stated that surgical techs were the same as nurses. His answer? "Then you can call me doctor since I do the same work as an anesthesiologist." The surgeon was incensed, "But you're not a doctor." :stone ......Bingo, Doc!
I can really get on my soap box with this one.:chair:
yeah...agree with you, but also would like to add that if anyone refers to themselves as a registered nurse and provides care to you, and you find out that this person was not a nurse,please contact your insurence carrier and report that. Also, if a Dr. is that ignorant that he does not even know the difference between a registered nurse and a medical asst, then that is one dumb Dr.By the way, is it me or is the world getting more stupid by the minute!!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I will ask the PetSmart here if that is true about calling their techs nurses. If so, I am beginning a really nice little letter-writing campaign, telling them clearly why they will no longer have my business. Or that of like-minded nurses.
I disagree. Look through this thread. Many persons (not me) discuss Docs calling their staff "nurse". I really don't think all of these Docs are trying to convince patients that staff are RNs or LPNs. Too conspiracy, too far-fetched. They are just using the term as a generalization.
Well, I don't trust this doctor's office anymore, because other doctors and their staff DO refer to MA's by their appropriate title.
Funny ... we don't hear about people running around, going out of their way to call themselves Medical Assistants. I wonder why THAT isn't the generalized term?
The reason is obvious: "Nurse" carries more weight than "Medical Assistant." And that's not misleading? Or intentional?
Also, if a Dr. is that ignorant that he does not even know the difference between a registered nurse and a medical asst, then that is one dumb Dr.
Amen to that! Any doctor that is TRULY unable to differentiate between a nurse (RN or LPN) and a medical assistant should have to attend a mandatory course in medical terminology. Telling people that the individuals taking care of them are nurses when they clearly are not is intent to defraud, IMO.
Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.
I will ask the PetSmart here if that is true about calling their techs nurses. If so, I am beginning a really nice little letter-writing campaign, telling them clearly why they will no longer have my business. Or that of like-minded nurses.
Well, I don't trust this doctor's office anymore, because other doctors and their staff DO refer to MA's by their appropriate title.
Funny ... we don't hear about people running around, going out of their way to call themselves Medical Assistants. I wonder why THAT isn't the generalized term?
The reason is obvious: "Nurse" carries more weight than "Medical Assistant." And that's not misleading? Or intentional?
Yeah ... right.
Ouch.
I think there are many reason you don't hear the term "Medical Assistants" used as a generalized term is:
Wow, too many to mention.
It is obvious that this is an issue near and dear to your heart. Very nice to see that kind of pride. You obviously take nursing very seriously.
I have met many who just want $$$, power, control, easy shifts, flirt with DOcs.... and don't really care about nursing. So sad to think about what will go through their mind on their death bed!!
It is truly sad how this thread has completely turned on MAs. It is like a MA bashing. I have worked with MAs before. I saw & treated them as my equals- we worked as a team & had no problems.
It is truly sad how this thread has completely turned on MAs. It is like a MA bashing. I have worked with MAs before. I saw & treated them as my equals- we worked as a team & had no problems.
That's not the point at all. My problem is not with MA's. My problem is with those MA's, and their supervising doctors, who tell me they're nurses, when it is ILLEGAL in my state.
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I disagree. Look through this thread. Many persons (not me) discuss Docs calling their staff "nurse". I really don't think all of these Docs are trying to convince patients that staff are RNs or LPNs. Too conspiracy, too far-fetched. They are just using the term as a generalization.
Remember, differentiate between the word "nurse" and the term "Registered nurse". Two separate things.
When a person says they are a "nurse", some states: not illegal. To say they are a "RN": illegal.
Just because the only nurses that you know are RNs or LPNs does not mean that the rest of the population knows about the different titles in medicine.