New Arkansas Laws (bad news for nurses) ???

twalker · May 19, 2009

that would be a good thing, however, I said something to the doctor here before about the MAs and our laws and she quickly made comments to let me know that "it is cheaper to keep them". As if it is such a monetary help for the clinic if they work here.

knapp · Apr 28, 2010

I'm not real happy about this either. The bill says they have to go through some sort of certification program. Isn't that what we do to get our degree only more in depth? I guess the only good thing about it is the doctor is responsible for that MA's actions. All grievances will go against the doctor's lisence.
This will mean that the first question I ask the person giving me a shot is if they are an RN.

what is the medical world coming too/:crying2:

elkpark · Apr 28, 2010

In my state, RNs in physician's offices are extremely rare. Everyone uses MAs or, at most, LPNs. Since these jobs are dead-end jobs with poor pay, I don't really see it's much of a loss to Registered Nursing. We have so much more to offer and so many more opportunities and roles available than working in a physician's office ...

Preemie2RN · Jun 22, 2010

Ok, so this is an interesting topic for me as I went in to my doctor's office here in LR to get a TB skin test almost a year and a half ago. I was already an LPN and going back for RN, the medical assistant at the doctor's office knew this. She started to give me the injection with the bevel down and at an almost 90 degree angle!! I told her that it was wrong, she just said that's how she was taught! I stopped her and said I would prefer the doctor give me the injection. She was not happy with me but complied. When the doctor came in, he looked frustrated and since I have been a patient of his for a long time I knew he was going to tell me about it! Apparently they had been having trouble with the way the MA's interpreted how things should be done and were wanting to go back to LPN's and RN's for his clinic. He was also a little frustrated that with MA's HIS license was on the line, and since they had no license there were no consequences for them if they made a mistake, other than losing their job. So this adds more stress to the clinic physicians and ANP's!! The last time I was in they only had a couple of MA's and had several new LPN's! I really don't understand the whole MA school either, it's almost as long (if not as long at sme places) as most LPN programs! I just haven't figured it out! Maybe people will start to catch on, and hopefully not the hard way!

I'm not saying that MA's are not useful, but they can be used in the same way Techs or CNA's are used (which by the way are VERY valuable)!

kinneyrma · Jul 21, 2010

I am a Registered Medical Assistant. I can tell you that my training was intense. However, I would never try to pass myself off as an LPN or RN. You folks are much more educated than an MA. I know that. I only want to be treated fairly by the profession. Our scope of training covers everything fromt he front office to the Lab and assisting with exams. However, we can not diagnose or recommend treatment, start or stop IV's, and most internal tubes are out of our scope of training. We can insert and remove a Folley. We are taught Medical Terminology, Injections,Phlebotomy, EKG, casting and the like. Are we perfect. No,. But I did take my course, pass my finals, and pass a national registry exam. The state of Arkansas, unless this bill changes things, still does not recognize an MA as anything. Again, LPN's and RN's, I do not put myself in the same class as you, but I do feel I have earned the right to do the job I have been taught within the scope of my training.

kinneyrma · Sep 23, 2010

I went back to school (again) for my CNA training. Passed my State Exam first try. So while I am still not an LPN or RN, I have at least proved I have the knowledge to be a Nuring Assistant. Bottom rung of the nursing ladder but proud to have made it. I am not sure the new law is really having any effect on nursing. The state of Arkansas still does not recognize a Medical Assistant in most area's of the state.

RNMSN2 · Dec 18, 2010

Medical Assistants can be held liable in a court of law. A patient can sue a MA in Civil Court for such things as malpractice, libel, slander, assault, etc. Most likely the physician will be sued as he/she has the most money and Liability Insurance.