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?
Apparently you would be in violation in some states--BUT NOT IN ALL, and that is what I am asking for information about. Obviously, in Missouri, you would NOT be in violation, but, apparently you would in Arkansas.
Actually, the previous post was amended to show that it is, apparently, a violation in MO (and Kansas too). You have to be careful because, as the California link demonstrates, the prohibition may not be just in the Nurse Practice Act but, in this case, was found in the Business and Professions Code section governing Medical Assistants.
You really have to do a thorough search of each state code before jumping to conclusions.
Different cultures, different times, patience is still a virtue, isn't it?
Years ago, to repeat, the term "nurse" was a generalized term in some cultures.
I'm no spring chicken but do not recall that "nurse" was ever a 'generalized term'. Using the verb 'nursing' did not imply that the person providing the care was a "nurse" as she (usually) was a family member or neighbor. "Nurses" were trained in a hospital-based school and were definitely educated! As a third generation RN, I definitely care when non-nurses utilize a term inappropriately.
We haven't seen a reference yet to your professional background. Could it be that you are not a "nurse"?:uhoh21:
Actually, the previous post was amended to show that it is, apparently, a violation in MO (and Kansas too). You have to be careful because, as the California link demonstrates, the prohibition may not be just in the Nurse Practice Act but, in this case, was found in the Business and Professions Code section governing Medical Assistants.
You really have to do a thorough search of each state code before jumping to conclusions.
Lizz, help here. Where did is show that it would be illegal in MO? missed it..
This site also indicates that the word "nurse" alone is not a violation. However, using the terms "registered", "licensed", "advanced", "practitioner" along with "nurse" would make it a violation of state statutes (laws).
Different cultures, different times, patience is still a virtue, isn't it?
Years ago, to repeat, the term "nurse" was a generalized term in some cultures.
I'm no spring chicken but do not recall that "nurse" was ever a 'generalized term'. Using the verb 'nursing' did not imply that the person providing the care was a "nurse" as she (usually) was a family member or neighbor. "Nurses" were trained in a hospital-based school and were definitely educated! As a third generation RN, I definitely care when non-nurses utilize a term inappropriately.
We haven't seen a reference yet to your professional background. Could it be that you are not a "nurse"?:uhoh21:
I am a nurse, and have been for 23 years..ICU, CCU, ER, Med-Surg, Agency.
Whether or not I was a nurse doesn't have anything to do with the LEGALITY of using the term "nurse".
The term "nurse" was a generalized term when I was in school, and in the area I am from... deep Arkansas.
Congrats on the 3rd generation.
Perhaps the term was not used the same for your upbringing. Hence, different cultures.
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Please note that KRS 314.031(1) provides that it is illegal for any person in the Commonwealth of Kentucky to represent or hold herself or himself out to the public to be a nurse without having obtained proper licensure as a nurse by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. As stated in KRS 314.991(4), any person in violation of this statute may be subject to criminal prosecution resulting in a period of imprisonment of not more than 12 months or a fine of not more than $500, or both.
It is extremely important that all employers verify that a nurse is properly licensed or registered in Kentucky prior to employment. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly employ a nurse who is not properly licensed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The following individuals have either applied for a nursing position or have been employed as a nurse in Kentucky. KBN records indicate that these individuals have never been licensed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
Thanks Hellllllllo Nurse. That one is specific, isn't it.
Talking with other nurses at work this eve about this. Two different thoughts, like on this thread.
A couple of the older nurses, coming from different parts of the country, agreed that they had also heard the term used generally, and were not offended by the generalized term. One lady specified: "women who worked taking care of anyone who was ill were called nurses" and, like my raising, apparently whether they were licensed was never an issue.
However, the younger nurses were offended, and had never heard the term used as a generalization.
A couple of CNA/student nurses very definitely wanted the title "nurse", and had never considered themselves "nurses".
One older CNA remembered the generalized term also.
And 3 previous instructors (the one with the least amount of years has been a nurse for 30 years) do not remember any days where the word "nurse" was general/generic.
And actually, with several things i've read on the history of nursing, i do not see anything that says that the word nurse is general in this and the past century, probably due to the educational requirements.
I'm 60 years old-at least Monday I will be- and I remember long ago that people who cared for invalids were called practical nurses. My grandmother's sister did this. In 1969 our state (SC) did a broad sweep to allow those who could prove competence to become LPNs. I was 9 months pregnant at the time or I would have applied also. From that point on ONLY licensed/registered nurses may refer to themselves as NURSE. Nurse is a protected title.
Like Viet Nam records, what's way past should be a non-issue. Who cares what 'nurse' may have conjured up in the minds of our great- grandparents era. Today, nurses and their governing agencies care who claims that title. Legally and ethically, only licensed nurses should be referred to as such. Period!:angryfire I'm moving on. This thread is way too long for me.
This site also indicates that the word "nurse" alone is not a violation. However, using the terms "registered", "licensed", "advanced", "practitioner" along with "nurse" would make it a violation of state statutes (laws).
I was referring to this post from RN4NICU:
Edited to add - this is also illegal in Kansas under State Statute 65-1114.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Missouri Nurse Practice Act
Section 335.076
3. No person shall practice or offer to practice professional nursing or practical nursing in this state for compensation or use any title, sign, abbreviation, card, or device to indicate that such person is a practicing professional nurse or practical nurse unless he has been duly licensed under the provisions of sections 335.011 to 335.096.
I am a student and would be really PO'd if some one who wasn't licensed claimed to be a nurse. I would be even more PO'd if i were the patient. However, i would say that the general population does not know the difference among PCA, NA, LPN, RN, HUC-they think everyone is a nurse. I know as a fact, i didn't know there was a difference between RN and LPN. If some one said they were a nurse, i assumed they were an RN.
Boy, have I learned a lot since those days-and i am only a first semester LPN student!!
I vaguely remember the whole refering to caring for some one as "nursing" them. However, they always refered to it as "nursing" so-and so, not that they WERE a nurse. But that was back in grandma's day, 70 years ago! Yep, things have changed!
Anyway, in the great state of MN-you can not practice nursing w/o a current license. So, i would assume that if you told someone you were a nurse-you would be commiting a crime.
Sheri257
3,905 Posts
Actually, the previous post was amended to show that it is, apparently, a violation in MO (and Kansas too). You have to be careful because, as the California link demonstrates, the prohibition may not be just in the Nurse Practice Act but, in this case, was found in the Business and Professions Code section governing Medical Assistants.
You really have to do a thorough search of each state code before jumping to conclusions.