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?
Here's a copy of The Texas BON regs on who can or can't refer to themselves as a "nurse."
Subchapter F. License Requirements
Sec. 301.251. License Required.
(a) A person may not practice or offer to practice professional nursing or vocational nursing in this state unless the person is licensed as provided by this chapter.
(b) Unless the person holds a license under this chapter, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name:
(1) the title "Registered Nurse," "Professional Nurse," "Licensed Vocational Nurse," "Vocational Nurse," "Licensed Practical Nurse," "Practical Nurse," or "Graduate Nurse";
(2) the abbreviation "R.N.," "L.V.N.," "V.N.," "L.P.N.," or "P.N."; or
(3) any other designation tending to imply that the person is a licensed registered nurse or vocational nurse.
(3) This section does not apply to a person entitled to practice professional nursing or vocational nursing in this state under Chapter 304, as added by Chapter 1420, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001.
(d) Unless the person holds a license under this chapter or as a vocational nurse under Chapter 302, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name:
(1) the title "nurse"; or
(2) any other designation tending to imply that the person is licensed to provide nursing care.
[Amended by Acts 2003 (H.B. 1483, S.B. 718), 78th Leg., eff. Sept. 1, 2003, (d)(1)-(2) eff. June 20, 2003]
any other designation tending to imply that the person is a licensed registered nurse or vocational nurse.
Unless the person holds a license under this chapter or as a vocational nurse under Chapter 302, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name: the title "nurse"
Seems pretty clear to me. Maybe this will settle the semantic debate.
They'd have to keep themselves informed to know - many probably think that such semantics aren't worth tying up their precious brain cells.
However, let a nurse -- or anyone else -- with a PhD walk in and introduce him/herself as Doctor (technically has just as much right to the title as the MD, but it's misleading within the health care setting) and said MD would throw a fit! The semantics would, all of a sudden, be very important.
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:
I can and DO REALLY get on a soap box about this one. And I can RATIONALLY AND REASONABLY defend my position to the end. CNAs, MAs, and all other UNLICENSED ASSISTIVE persons are NOT NURSES. The same that PAs, NPs, CNMs, CRNAs, etc. are NOT physicians. Some things that we ALL do MAY be the "same", but there is a big difference. And not just regarding the title.
And, as an RN who will pursue an advanced NURSING degree, and even now as I stand as an RN, I cringe when I hear CNAs refer to themselves as being in "nursing" or when they say "I'm a nurse". I ALWAYS say, "Oh yeah!! LVN or RN??" And when they state CNA, the conversation ends for me, or I will surely offend them by correcting them.
Alas, this horse is dead, and I shant beat it anymore.
My husband (who is a paramedic), worked as a "Nurse Extender" in a hospital. His name badge said "Nursing" under his name, and then underneath, said "Nurse Extender" in black, but highlighted in blue (making it not as noticable). It was a glorified CNA- vitalls, EKG, bloods, etc. They actually had CNA type people as well- "Comfort Care Providers".
My mother was a Health Aide in a public school. Basically she was a school aide with CPR and First Aid, who sat in the health office (not the nurses office). She gave out ice, band-aids, and called home if a kid was sick. She corrected anyone that called her 'the nurse', including parents who was ask if their child was really sick, or can't you give them something? Technically she could not even give kids their prescribed meds. She would keep them in her office, and the kids would dispense it to themselves.
When I graduated nursing school, and couldn't get a job, there were a series of commercials airing in NY (sponsered by NYSNA). "The people you think are nurses, may not be nurses at all. If you're in the hospital, make sure you ask for a Real Nurse, ask for an RN" I would cry everytime I saw them. I couldn't even get a job as an un-real nurse!
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?
Doctors don't know the difference. Neither do the patients, since MAs can do a lot of things office nurses used to do. BTW, a lot of MA programs are two-year AAS degrees, just like a lot of nursing programs, although some are certificate programs.
If a doctor doesn't know the difference then, I wouldn't trust them as my doctor.
Well, maybe "doesn't know the difference" is too strong...a lot of offices do prefer to use MAs if given the choice. MA programs are designed to train folks to do clinical and administrative work in ambulatory care settings, incluidng histories, vitals, injections, EKGs, phlebotomy, etc. They have no acute care or LTC training. They work strictly under a physician's direction. In a practical sense, they function in an office setting essentially as a nurse would, and work much cheaper. And, as previously noted, their educational credentials are the same as a lot of nurses.
Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN
2 Articles; 3,563 Posts
Here's a copy of The Texas BON regs on who can or can't refer to themselves as a "nurse."
Subchapter F. License Requirements
Sec. 301.251. License Required.
(a) A person may not practice or offer to practice professional nursing or vocational nursing in this state unless the person is licensed as provided by this chapter.
(b) Unless the person holds a license under this chapter, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name:
(1) the title "Registered Nurse," "Professional Nurse," "Licensed Vocational Nurse," "Vocational Nurse," "Licensed Practical Nurse," "Practical Nurse," or "Graduate Nurse";
(2) the abbreviation "R.N.," "L.V.N.," "V.N.," "L.P.N.," or "P.N."; or
(3) any other designation tending to imply that the person is a licensed registered nurse or vocational nurse.
(3) This section does not apply to a person entitled to practice professional nursing or vocational nursing in this state under Chapter 304, as added by Chapter 1420, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001.
(d) Unless the person holds a license under this chapter or as a vocational nurse under Chapter 302, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name:
(1) the title "nurse"; or
(2) any other designation tending to imply that the person is licensed to provide nursing care.
[Amended by Acts 2003 (H.B. 1483, S.B. 718), 78th Leg., eff. Sept. 1, 2003, (d)(1)-(2) eff. June 20, 2003]