Medical assistant with a problem

[airforcewife2000]

I graduated in May, got hired on in mid June with a doctor who practices internal medicine. Pretty much the majority of the elderly patients have snubbed me because they miss "renee". I am guessing Renee was the person before me. Who knows.

Anyway today i tried to do the usual, call the lady back, weigh her, take her temperature, blood pressure, ask about her meds, ect. The whole time this lady is not cooperating with me. I thought to myself maybe she just doesn't hear me well? Finally she blantly yells at me that she under no conditions wants a MA to take care of her. That Renee was a nurse and by golly that is who she wanted...a nurse. This lady preceeds to tell me that she recently retired from nursing and she just doesn't trust the care of some off the streets medical assistant whose only schooling was probably no more than 6 months worth. She tells her husband its a "crying shame that they replaced a nurse with this useless person with a chip on her shoulder because of her degree..um i mean certificate.":crying2: She wouldn't let me do anything i needed to do and kept going on about my nameplate by huffing and saying CMA..thats nothing. CMA what a disgrace.

I apologized and stepped out and got the closest nurse i could fine. A nurse for another doctor but a nurse nonetheless..i couldnt' find my doctors nurse or i would of gotten her.

I feel awful. I up until this point didn't think i was useless and was quite proud of my education. Up until now i was under the impression i replaced a MA but according the nurse who i grabbed Renee was a LPN who had to move due to her husband getting orders away.

Is this what its going to be like? I'm sorry these regular patients miss thier previous caretaker but i don't feel i deserved the treatment i received from this patient. I could understand if she was sick, but she wasn't..just in for a yearly physical. I really don't want to go to work tomorrow. After this i took a good 15 minutes regaining my composure, and then had to stop from crying throughout the day, just typing this i am crying. If this is what its like to be working in healthcare, i don't think i can do it. You can talk badly about your healthcare all you want, but please don't call me useless and demeaning the education i received. I may not be Renee, but i'm still a person, a pretty good one at that who if given the chance, you'll grow to love me just as much.

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

Perhaps when you introduce yourself to patients, you can educate them a little bit on your educational background or qualifications? Such as: "Hi. My name is _____, and I am your/the Certified Medical Assistant today. I understand that Renee was your/the LPN, and many patients miss her. There are some differences in the roles/education of a CMA and LPN, but am fully qualified to care for you today. If you have any questions about the differences between the two titles (OR: If you have any questions about the qualifications/education of a CMA) then I would be happy to answer them for you."

Just a thought that came to mind. I am a pre-nursing student, so I'm not sure if this is something that can be slipped in the conversation/introduction or not. I would think so. That woman was so rude. Perhaps she has a personal chip on her shoulder over the whole thing. It's not as if you were misrepresenting yourself. Sheesh.

I really like this approach. Great post

[LPN2RNdude]

please dont take that personal. i myself was a medical assistant and got the ol "youre not a nurse?" then when i graduated LPN school it was "youre just an LPN?" now that i am an RN i still get the occasional "oh, youre just a nurse, not a doctor?" i could care less what people think of me. i think only very insecure people make comments like that. i guess you could call me a little jaded, i work in an ER where everyone is either on drugs, homeless, or suicidal..... i dont have the same attitude i did when i was an MA. i guess the longer you put up with peoples ****, the less you start to care about pleasing everyone. think a job change for me should be a consideration?? LOL keep your head up, kill them with kindness!!

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

I am so sorry for what happened to you! Be proud of your credentials "CMA". I was once one myself. Many patients really have no idea of what a medical assistant is or does. I always used to explain to my patients that I was trained strictly for the clinic setting and to assist the doctor with many different procedures. Once they understood that "no" I was not a nurse, but still very capable of meeting their needs things got easier.

I promise you your patients will begin to accept you for who you are and they will stop the comparison. It just takes time. Next time you run into this kind of attitude just simply say "I am sorry that you feel that way, but if there is anything that I can do for you in the future, just let me know", then I would go get whoever you need to assist this patient.

Let the doctor know about the patients behavior and more than likely the doctor will educate the patient about your education.

Sending many hugs your way and wishes for a better tomorrow.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

please dont take that personal. i myself was a medical assistant and got the ol "youre not a nurse?" then when i graduated lpn school it was "youre just an lpn?" now that i am an rn i still get the occasional "oh, youre just a nurse, not a doctor?" i could care less what people think of me. i think only very insecure people make comments like that. i guess you could call me a little jaded, i work in an er where everyone is either on drugs, homeless, or suicidal..... i dont have the same attitude i did when i was an ma. i guess the longer you put up with peoples ****, the less you start to care about pleasing everyone. think a job change for me should be a consideration?? lol keep your head up, kill them with kindness!!

most definitely! i am an lpn and i have heard many careless comments. i have had several rns say "the nurses and the lpns"...hellooo...lpn stands for licensed practical nurse. and, have had people ask when i plan to attend nursing school to become a real nurse. i am proud of the service i render. and, those that don't appreciate it at first usually start to see that i am good at what i do. do what you do best, and remember, this is just the first. i am not saying this because you are a cma. i am saying this because this is just how some people are...period.

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

You didn't deserve to be treated like that. The lady was very inappropriate and rude.

[prowlingMA]

I used to work as a " temp" CMA when others were out sick. I always go the " where's so and so". In your case I simply would say. She is no longer working here and I am working with Dr. -- now."

And try to kill'em with kindness. Usually you r skill and curtousy will help ease the transition.

In the case of some one refusing all MA's, I would say " I am sorry you feel that way. I am proud of my training and believe I do the very best that I can in my position here. The doctor trusts me with all the responsiblities that Renee use to do and I think he knows what he's doing" That usually works.

Welcome to the MA club-I lurk here often.

[Jo Dirt]

This woman should be ashamed for talking to you like that and she owed you an apology.

You can let her know that if the doctor did not think you were competent to do this job he wouldn't have you here.

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

sorry this happened but that's life in the big city hospital. people often leave their manners at the door. there is only one way to answer these type of people.......with grace and CONFIDENCE. don't cry, take it as an opportunity to SHINE! :icon_hug:

[dlittleone]

So sorry to hear of your experience. It sounds like you handled the situation in a professional manner. I am also a CMA, and am now pursuing my nursing degree. I really loved my title and the experience has given me much knowledge, especially the decision to further my education. Although a LPN has more education under their belt, a CMA is an important and much needed in the medical field. many times senior citizens are reluctant to change and I believe this patient was just being her grumpy self. I am sure the LPN position you gained has had some confrontations with this patient before. I believe you had the right to feel that you were treated awful, but all in all the health care profession can make one at times feel unappreciated, it is the compassion for others that has led you to get an education in the medical field. Keep up the good work and be proud of what you have accomplished for yourself and remember that there will always be someone annoying, but there will be many that will appreciate your care. Again, I believe you handled this situation good and don't be discouraged.