I am new to allnurses.com and I was wondering how come you don't include Medical Assistants in any of your groupings?? I went to school for 18 months to get my honors degree and I have wanted to be a nurse all my life (eventually I will work my way up to RN). Your website was discovered by while trying to find a college in my area (Indianapolis) that has a LPN course that will accept my transferring credits (still haven't found one).
But if you could answer that question as to why MA's are not included it would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone knows of a college in the Indianapolis area that accepts credit transfers from Indiana Business College--Medical that would also be appreciated.
We are all in this together. Different types of healthcare providers provide parts to the puzzle in order to give adequate patient care. Like most everyone here, I do introduce myself as "Hello, my name is Trauma and I'll be your RN today." I work in the ER and even in emergencies I identify myself to the patient and/or family present. I also introduce our docs if they don't do it. And, if we have a med student, I introduce them as a med student, student nurse or whatever they are.
The payor status (ie whether they have insurance or Medicaid or nothing) does not and should not enter the picture. You should always strive to provide excellent patient care to whomever your patient is.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.
I am currently a Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman in the Coast Guard, and currently a nursing student. My Coast Guard duties allow me to perform many tasks which are non nursing such as suturing, performing minor surgery (toe nail removal, small cyst removal), diagnosing and treating (including prescribing medication) minor illness, and I ran a clinical pharmacy independent of a pharmacist for 2 years. That said upon my entry to nursing school (I am in my 3rd semester) I realized how different the medical model and nursing model are. I also found out that in the civilian world, my qualification allowed me to practice as a PCT (Patient Care Tech), CNA, or Medical Assistant. Before starting nursing school I thought my qualifications should allow me to challenge the Board and become a nurse, but after my first clinical I realized there was no way that I could function as a nurse with my pre nursing school knowledge. I think that we all serve a valuable role in the health care setting. But some roles require more education than others.
"A nurse is a nurse LPN,RN, NP." There is no way that an MA can be compared to any kind of nursing. First of all Nursing is Licensed by the state, and MA's are certified. Secondly, the education is far more complex even at the level of basic nursing, as far as I know MA's are not required to take any Med-Surg class, Maternity and Peds, etc which every nurse must take and pass, LPN RN alike. Having worked my way up the ladder I can honestly say, that we are talking oranges and apples. MA's have their function and nurses too. I worked in an OBGYN's office and she had 4 MA's all of which tried to get in to nursing colleges and failed the entrance exams just to apply...now I don't want to offend anyone to imply that they were dumb, but my point is they are far less educated in the subject matter needed for nursing. I was constantly being asked how I was able to do it, and how difficult it was for them to study...my answer was and is "There is no shortcut to being a nurse you must go thru the college education/training." Yes, there are plenty of MA's who are given alot of basic nursing experience by way of their employers, but that does not imply you have as much experience or education as any nurse. I am A BSN and I do not write RX"S and would not even dare regardless of any physicians request. That is why you become a "Nurse Practitioner" and continue educating yourself. I hope this does not offend anyone it is just that I really get worked up about this issue.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
just like nursing is regulated by state practice acts, ma's have to function under the law or regulations of the state they work in, although many states have no regulations over this group of health professionals.
(see previous posted articles)
came across ny regulations while internet surfing another topic yesterday:
no mater how you are educated, one still needs to be aware of scope of practice issues and state regulations to keep one out of a court of law someday.
I'm only a nursing student, and I completely realize that this is a nursing website that is supposed to be supportive of the profession and that nurses often feel defensive because their expertise is sometimes denegrated. But you know what, it still only takes 2+ years to get certified as an R.N. That's really not all that much education to enter a profession. Consider that most states require public school teachers to have a master's degree and most "pink collar" office jobs require a B.A. anymore just to be considered.
Well stated gerry. My spouse is in the military and has to have EMT-P as part of his many certifications/training - he is not an IDMT like you were, but I am still amazed at the procedures he is allowed to do. I was reading over his shoulder as he was updating his OJT records when he was in the medical section. The one that stands out in my memory is that he can do venous cutdowns, which upon his explanation, sounded very invasive to me. That being said, he could not walk into a hospital and become an RN. His training is quite different. That does not make him higher, lower, or equivalent to an RN or LPN, just different. The approach to care is different. The critical thinking process is different. Just like nurses aren't jr. doctors, MAs (and any other allied health positions) are not jr. nurses. Sharing a skill set does not equate anyone to anyone else in anything but those skills (and even then some people are better at some skills than others regardless of the letters after their name). I won't say any more because I am not a nurse and beyond this I will just be talking out of the top of my head.
BTW gerry, good luck to you in school!
I am currently a Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman in the Coast Guard, and currently a nursing student. My Coast Guard duties allow me to perform many tasks which are non nursing such as suturing, performing minor surgery (toe nail removal, small cyst removal), diagnosing and treating (including prescribing medication) minor illness, and I ran a clinical pharmacy independent of a pharmacist for 2 years. That said upon my entry to nursing school (I am in my 3rd semester) I realized how different the medical model and nursing model are. I also found out that in the civilian world, my qualification allowed me to practice as a PCT (Patient Care Tech), CNA, or Medical Assistant. Before starting nursing school I thought my qualifications should allow me to challenge the Board and become a nurse, but after my first clinical I realized there was no way that I could function as a nurse with my pre nursing school knowledge. I think that we all serve a valuable role in the health care setting. But some roles require more education than others.
just like nursing is regulated by state practice acts, ma's have to function under the law or regulations of the state they work in, although many states have no regulations over this group of health professionals.
(see previous posted articles)
came across ny regulations while internet surfing another topic yesterday:
no mater how you are educated, one still needs to be aware of scope of practice issues and state regulations to keep one out of a court of law someday.
well that sure spells it out. no punches pulled there.
I'm only a nursing student, and I completely realize that this is a nursing website that is supposed to be supportive of the profession and that nurses often feel defensive because their expertise is sometimes denegrated. But you know what, it still only takes 2+ years to get certified as an R.N. That's really not all that much education to enter a profession. Consider that most states require public school teachers to have a master's degree and most "pink collar" office jobs require a B.A. anymore just to be considered.
The level of work is much harder. I've heard associate degree RN's called "two year wonders" because they learn so much information in such a short time.
I'm not sure about the original poster of this thread, but I would like to clarify what was meant regarding MAs writing prescriptions. The doctor would specify which meds were for which ailment, and I was requested to write the script and have it signed by him. The reason for this was that the doctor's handwriting was terrible, and the pharmacy needed legible writing! I don't think, since that was not approving and dispensing meds, that this was beyond my scope of practice. It was the same as calling in prescriptions. I did it, but it was under the doctor's order.
I'm not sure about the original poster of this thread, but I would like to clarify what was meant regarding MAs writing prescriptions. The doctor would specify which meds were for which ailment, and I was requested to write the script and have it signed by him. The reason for this was that the doctor's handwriting was terrible, and the pharmacy needed legible writing! I don't think, since that was not approving and dispensing meds, that this was beyond my scope of practice. It was the same as calling in prescriptions. I did it, but it was under the doctor's order.
But can I ask you a question?
Who decided or made the diagnosis as to which illness the patient had?
Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN
12,126 Posts
Pay should never have any bearing on the care received. Therefore there's really no point in bringning that up.