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?
Oops. You're right. Should have checked that before I posted. Sorry. For some reason I thought it was immunizations only. But they are allowed to administer meds, of course, with a doc or nurse's supervision.
"The phrase 'administer meds' intends to mean the direct application of medication in several ways including simple injections, ingestion and inhalation or pre-measured medications. For our purposes, the phrase "administer medications" when used regarding medical assistants, means to inject, handle, or provide medications to a patient after verification by a physician, podiatrist or another appropriate licensed person."
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.
a lot of nurses have a doctorate degree....doesn't mean the material studied was the same as an MD. It isn't just about the length of time in school, its the breadth and depth of the material covered and the amount and type of courses required.
And, as previously noted, their educational credentials are the same as a lot of nurses.
Whoa Nellie! I am a former MA that graduated with an AS degree in Medical Assisting and now I am in my last year of an ADN program. Let me tell you the schooling is so different. In the MA program you are taught the "Medical Mode" you practice under the physician. In nursing you learn the "nursing Mode" and are taught to practice under your own liscense. Way different. All the tests I had in MA school were comprehension type tests. There was only one correct answer. In nursing school I am tested on analysis, implementaion, and the list goes on and on. Many times there are several correct answers and you must pick the best one. Way, Way, different than MA school. In MA school I was taught "nursing type" skills, but had no idea of the critical thinking involved behind it. Yes. I could give an injection, but did I know why I was giving it? Did I know what it could do to the patient? NO! Almost anyone can be taught a skill. That does not make you a "nurse". The critical thinking, teaching, thinking three steps ahead, assessment, a liscense to practice under.....(I could go on and on).....That's what makes you a nurse!
Any thoughts? Is this allowed? Why would even doctors refer to MA's as nurses?
This is one of my pet peeves :angryfire (that and sloppy, unprofessional nurses of any degree). I correct each an every MA or MD that uses the word nurse inappropriately. As nursing supervisor in a private practice, all assistants (LPN, RN and MA) wear name tags that include their profession. In Idaho, it is now against the law to claim to be a nurse if you are not. I'm not exactly sure how to report it though. It takes a lot of educational effort to make the MDs, other nurses, MAs and patients understand the importance of this title. I, for one, am willing to fight that good fight!!! Check your state's Nurse Practice Act. If this is not part of it, petition to have it added. When it is added, let people know!
Whoa Nellie! I am a former MA that graduated with an AS degree in Medical Assisting and now I am in my last year of an ADN program. Let me tell you the schooling is so different. In the MA program you are taught the "Medical Mode" you practice under the physician. In nursing you learn the "nursing Mode" and are taught to practice under your own liscense. Way different. All the tests I had in MA school were comprehension type tests. There was only one correct answer. In nursing school I am tested on analysis, implementaion, and the list goes on and on. Many times there are several correct answers and you must pick the best one. Way, Way, different than MA school. In MA school I was taught "nursing type" skills, but had no idea of the critical thinking involved behind it. Yes. I could give an injection, but did I know why I was giving it? Did I know what it could do to the patient? NO! Almost anyone can be taught a skill. That does not make you a "nurse". The critical thinking, teaching, thinking three steps ahead, assessment, a liscense to practice under.....(I could go on and on).....That's what makes you a nurse!
:) you are preaching to the choir, sister!!! Tell everyone who uses "nurse" incorrectly this exact same thing. In Idaho, the Nurse Practice Act makes it illegal to be called "nurse" without proper licensure. Get this placed in your state's Nurse Practice Act too.
In which states is it illegal to use the generalized term "nurse" unless you are licensed? I haven't worked in any of those states, so perhaps my opinion is based on my midwest experience. Thanks..
I am a LPN and I know how you feel. My most recent job was with the US Air Force. Even though I was doing both the work on Med Techs and RN's as a LPN, it really urked me when people refered me as the civilian equivalent of a Med Tech. Even a couple of RN's who were Captains in the Air Force said this. I corrected them stating two important differences. 1) I can practice Nursing anyplace in the world because I am licensed, and 2) I admitted because of my LPN status would be enlisted, it would put me in an upper category of enlisted personel like a Chief in the Navy or a Master or Senior Sargaent in the Air Force! That would be anywhere from an E-5 to E-9 A Med tech would be those personel who are in the lower enlisted population (E-1 to, E-4). MA's are exactly that and need to go by that designation. "God is Dead!" Neitche........."Neitche is Dead!" God:)
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.
I was on the scene of a NASTY automoblile accident once and there was a young lady that said "I am a nurse, can I help?" I told her I needed "vitals on that patient." I pointed to a non-critical patient and she went to the patient and started taking insurance/payment info!!!!!!!!!!:uhoh21: After we flew the two critical patients I asked her several pointed questions...long story short...she was a CNA. When cornered...She said "Well, I am ALMOST a nurse!!!!!" NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!!! So now, when a "medical professional" shows up on a scene, I ask for ID. "Burned once, shame on you. Burned twice, shame on ME!"
Luckily, I have never ever seen a wreck where I needed to stop and do anything besides offer the use of my cell phone.
But, I just had to comment on the "i'm a nurse, can I help?" part. I was speaking with one of our docs, and we were talking about emergency care. She was saying that she says "I work in a hospital, I can help!"
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.
Sure but do these people know the rational behind their actions and interventions? and do they have the training to possess the critical thinking skills they need to individualize their care, especially in the case of an emergency?
I dont think that it is right that a MA has the right to administer IM injections and other meds. Someone said that they started IVs. PEOPLE LOOSE THEIR ARMS DUE TO IVs! and ABG's?!?!?!??!?!?!? OMG! I WOULD FLIP! That is so risky.
"God is Dead!" Neitche........."Neitche is Dead!" God:)
RedSox33RN
1,483 Posts
I was thinking immunizations (see my above post), but I could be wrong.