Medical Assistant introducing self as "nurse"

[jandog]

When I call my PCP's office for a question for the doctor, the automated recording is if you need to speak to a nurse press #2. Then someone answers the phone "this is one of the nurses, how may I help you?" There are no nurses in my doctor's office. I know for a fact they are all medical assistants. My sister happens to be clinical coordinator for several drs. offices, and this is one of her offices. I was just wondering if it was legal to introduce yourself as a nurse, if you are a medical assistant? In fact, they don't even state their name when answering the "nurses extension". I have no problem with "medical assistants". In fact, I was one before nursing, but I would always correct someone if they called me a "nurse" at the time. I told my sister that perhaps they could address themselves as a "clinical technician", if they don't like the title of medical assistant. I was just wondering about any legal issues there?

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

got to your state BON (Bd of Nsg) and look at your nurse practice act there.

Nurse is a legal term and it is illegal to use it without the qualifications defined by your state, normally the same quals to take and pass the NCLEX (national nurse certification exam) be it PN or RN.

There are many threads about this on this site.

~faith,

Timothy.

[suzanne4, RN]

It is definitely again any BON. Just place a call to them.... :)

There are already many threads here on the same topic, just do a search.

[jandog]

Thank you for your quick replies. I will check it out and pass on the information to my sister. :)

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

Please tell your doctor that this is an issue that concerns you the next time you visit.

[alintanurse]

I encountered that same problem at the clinic I worked.MA's would call themselves nurses and the manager would not do anything about it.Here is an article which has been posted on an earlier thread about the legalities involved when an MA misrepresents themselves.

http://www.fsmaonline.org/officenurse.htm

[jlamb]

I encountered that same problem at the clinic I worked.MA's would call themselves nurses and the manager would not do anything about it.Here is an article which has been posted on an earlier thread about the legalities involved when an MA misrepresents themselves.

http://www.fsmaonline.org/officenurse.htm

In most states only a RN, LVN, or LPN can identify themselves as a nurse legally. To do otherwise is to "impersonate a nurse" which can lead to serious results if the office help dispenses information that only a nurse should be answering questions about. That is a huge problem in a very large clinic in my town. I want to pull my hair out. I had one "nurse" tell me my HCT was "doing great at 342,000" Inspires confidence in the practice in my physician's office.

[DusktilDawn]

I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to the title of "nurse" I have very strong feelings about who should be referred to as "nurse". If you do not have the education nor hold the license that states you are an LPN or an RN you do not have the legal right to call yourself a nurse. If anyone can be a nurse there would be no standard educational requirements or laws concerning this title, its use, and who's entitled to use that title.

I've seen ads for MA programs that give an extremely strong impression to the public that MAs are nurses. Although these ads do not use the word "nurse" at all in their advertisement, a point is made to give the impression that MAs are employed as nurses. Funny how there is no disclaimer that MAs are not nurses, nor should they be mistaken for nurses, but they are able to perform SOME of the TASKS nurses do. It makes me wonder whether these advertised MA courses make a point of educating concerning the use of the title "nurse" and the legal ramifications of "impersonating a nurse", apparently not if there are MAs out there that don't understand why they cannot refer to themselves as nurses.

What's with these doctors referring to them as "office nurses" :smackingf or even allowing them to use the title "nurse"?

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

It is definitely again any BON. Just place a call to them.... :)

There are already many threads here on the same topic, just do a search.

I agree.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Maybe your Dr.'s office retains a telephone triage nurse to take calls?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Nurse is a legally protected title in PA. Place your concerns in writing and discuss with your doctor. Many are ignorant of the law. Ask that the voice mail be changed.

If no corrective action, be willing to discuss with PA State Nurses Association and State Board of Nursing. The state Attorney general has prosectuted before on this issue.

I'm always up for a letter writing campaign too. :balloons:

[BORI-BSNRN, BSN, RN]

When I call my PCP's office for a question for the doctor, the automated recording is if you need to speak to a nurse press #2. Then someone answers the phone "this is one of the nurses, how may I help you?" There are no nurses in my doctor's office. I know for a fact they are all medical assistants. My sister happens to be clinical coordinator for several drs. offices, and this is one of her offices. I was just wondering if it was legal to introduce yourself as a nurse, if you are a medical assistant? In fact, they don't even state their name when answering the "nurses extension". I have no problem with "medical assistants". In fact, I was one before nursing, but I would always correct someone if they called me a "nurse" at the time. I told my sister that perhaps they could address themselves as a "clinical technician", if they don't like the title of medical assistant. I was just wondering about any legal issues there?

Hello, I used to work at two differents Dr's office, Doctors, Manager I mean everyone called to MA's "nurses" and nobody didn't say anything to correct it. This is something that happens almost everyday

Bori