Medical Assistants being called nurses

Nurses Relations

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  1. Are you comfortable with MAs calling selves Nurses?

    • 56
      Are you receiving info in your MDs office from an MA who says they are Nurse?
    • 29
      Is it self to pose as a nurse if you are an MA in MD offices
    • 66
      Why are MDs allowing MAs to pose as nurses
    • 101
      Why is it not being addressed by BNE that MAs can not identify as Nurses
    • 31
      Who should give you diagnostic info if not md an MA?

13 members have participated

I have serious concerns about Md offices hiring medical assistants and calling themselves nurses. They are given diagnostic results and education to pts, but identify as nurses . I have had the experience and new immediately that I was not speaking to a nurse ended up calling 911 b/c the md would not return call, the MA was uncomfortable taking note to md and I was a post op pt. I am RN of 28yrs and out of 7 providers only one hires licensed nurses, were name badges. These other offices refer to the MAs as nurses and really have not seen this address. How long would it take if I said I was an md in an office before it would be addressed as a very serious matter? I think it is perfectly fine that Mds want to hire MAs, but is it ok that they say they are nurses and they are doing nursing duties? How comfortable are you with not knowing who is talking to you at the mds' office? I know it is not legal so why is this not a serious concern?

Until this problem starts costing money MAs will continue to refer to themselves as nurses and so will the docs. This is a problem in many outpatient clinics.

In WI, the MA is even allowed to triage under MD approval and supervision.

If I were a MD and not a RN there is no way I would let a MA do my triage. Talk about a lawsuit with huge liability. All it takes is one patient.

You *should be concerned about a CMA identifying as a nurse. I am speaking as a CMA.

One of the first thing they taught us in the CMA program is to never ever identify ourselves as nurses. My instructor added that if a patient (everyone who wears scrubs looks the same to a patient) ever refers to us as a nurse, we should politely correct them.

Currently, I have passed my NCLEX and have earned my RN title, but I have not found an RN job. I still introduce myself to patients as a CMA. Why? Because I was hired as a CMA, and my scope of practice has not changed.

Never ever let a CMA identify themselves as a nurse. Some of our skills overlap, some CMAs are more skilled at certain things than RNs, but the reality is that anyone with a clean criminal record can become a CMA. Becoming an RN requires a skill set that not everyone can handle. This is why nursing programs screen candidates so thoroughly despite an imminent projected nursing shortage.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
You *should be concerned about a CMA identifying as a nurse. I am speaking as a CMA.

One of the first thing they taught us in the CMA program is to never ever identify ourselves as nurses. My instructor added that if a patient (everyone who wears scrubs looks the same to a patient) ever refers to us as a nurse, we should politely correct them.

Currently, I have passed my NCLEX and have earned my RN title, but I have not found an RN job. I still introduce myself to patients as a CMA. Why? Because I was hired as a CMA, and my scope of practice has not changed.

Never ever let a CMA identify themselves as a nurse. Some of our skills overlap, some CMAs are more skilled at certain things than RNs, but the reality is that anyone with a clean criminal record can become a CMA. Becoming an RN requires a skill set that not everyone can handle. This is why nursing programs screen candidates so thoroughly despite an imminent projected nursing shortage.

A word of caution...because you have passed your boards you will be held to the higher license...your RN. SO if a patient comes in with chest pain and you don't act according to what a RN would do in that situation...you will be held accountable. IN an office setting it would be getting the MD and calling 911...but know you will be held to your RN standard of care.

All nurses should have if you don't have it...get it. It's cheap and worth it!

That's great advice. Thanks!

I still won't identify myself as a nurse to my patients until I find an RN job though. The day that I told my boss that I passed my NCLEX she told me very specifically not to start performing things within the RN scope of practice.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
That's great advice. Thanks!

I still won't identify myself as a nurse to my patients until I find an RN job though. The day that I told my boss that I passed my NCLEX she told me very specifically not to start performing things within the RN scope of practice.

Right...and that is ok. however.....in a court of law remember you are a RN and will be held to that standard.

CONGRATS!!!! RN

Congrats Esme on your work to get here. Look for an environment to grow in and not facilities that will treat youu like a warm body. Honor your pts voices, bc they will let you know quicker than tests what is going on...,,,i have found listening as my most valued tool in nursing.

Just by your posts i truly believe you have the chops for this profession .

There are not a lot of accolades in this profession so you may have to create them for yourself.

You have experience in pt care so these maybe mute points.

Treat pts like you would want to be treated.

Evey pt will not appreciate your care so dont take it personally. If you know that you have done and honorble job let that be your guide.

You are deserving of respect by pts,docs,, facility etc not bc you are a title, but a human being and it is reciprocal .

Follow the nurse practice act, even if a manager , facility, dr, pt ask you to do other wise.

It is a lot easier to fnd another job than it is to face the board and say, someone told me to do this. You dont have to know all the answers, just know how to find strong reliable resources .

Being a nurses is s privilege even through rainy days.

You have the right to expect decent compensation just like any othe profession, so don't allow anyone to treat you like you are volunteering, bc if you set that precedent there will be no limits and you will burn out.

Take advantage of learning opportunities, so you ou will be prepared for your next journey.

Dont be afraid to leave if your needs are not being met, it does not serve you well nor does it serve your pts.

Be a student and a teacher always. Dont be afraid to admit your mistkes everyone has been there whether they admit it or not.

Never forget that you are a pt advocate and that you are needed desparately.

You get to define your nursing practice. Never let others define it for you. Your loyalty is to your practice and if you happen to work at a good facility it is a bonus, bc the days of companies being loyal to hardworking people have been over for a long time.

Be sure to have a good balance in your life of fun and self care. Take excellent care of yourself and your practice as a nurse will be fine.

WELCOME TO NURSING...,I pray that you are surrounded by the most ethical,compassionate and skilled peers, and that you reciprocate those same values to your team and pts as well.

Namaste

Specializes in Cardiology, Research, Family Practice.

Revisiting a tired old thread, but as widespread and widely acknowledged as this issue, why are boards of nursing doing nothing about this?

Revisiting a tired old thread, but as widespread and widely acknowledged as this issue, why are boards of nursing doing nothing about this?

I don't have an answer for you, maybe they don't care? It has been going on as long as I have been in nursing (35 years) at least.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I don't have an answer for you, maybe they don't care? It has been going on as long as I have been in nursing (35 years) at least.

While it's illegal in many states to call yourself (or someone else) a nurse if they don't have a license, it's been going on for decades. I guess it's difficult to prosecute.

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