Medical Professional?

[LoveMyBugs]

There was a conversation at work on who is considered a "medical professional." Specifically are CNAs considered a health-care or medical professional? One nurse at work stated that CNA are health-care professionals, while the another nurse disagrees because a CNA doesn't require 2-4 years of education?

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

It seems to me that there is a significant difference between unlicensed healthcare workers calling themselves professionals and calling themselves nurses. Indeed, in a society that recognizes professional bass fishermen, I think that distinction is so ambiguous that it's hardly meaningful. It think I understand those nurses who feel it's important for nursing to be recognized as a profession, but I can't help thinking that "professional" as a social class has become about as irrelevent as "gentleman." Both are still good things to be, but their archaic meanings have become, well, archaic.

On the other hand, a CNA, MA, EMT-P, or Pharm.D. is not a nurse. A nurse has a license to practice nursing. I would not attempt to usurp their titles, and they should not try to assume mine.