MA's Calling Themselves Nurses?

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:

You know something, this thread reminds me of the word "engineer". Same kind of problem. We even have "sanitary engineer" for example.

-Dan

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!!

Nope, it isn't just you.

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?

Yeah ... right.

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.

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.

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62928&highlight=veterinary

I thought this sounded familiar. Thread of interest to you. I remember getting my undies in a bunch over this before lol.

Thanks Nurse Ratched for the site.

Ouch, some definite opinions about "nurses" from other "nurses". But, as a "nurse", I am pretty thick skinned.

i think vet techs deserve to be recognized and completely respected as VET TECHS, not as nurses. I think a tech deserves respect period. The job is important as it is. And a nurse as a NURSE. I just think the term "nurse" is maligned way too much these days and may be one thing that holds us back from becoming the "profession" we wish to be...(among other factors of course). I dont' think anyone ought be called what they are not......from doctors to engineers, we need to be clear on what a person is educated, trained and experienced in doing, so the public's expectations can be clear and justified.