MAs call themselves Nurses at my office..opinions please? - page 2

1. 
   Feb 10, '12

   not just to the patients, but to the secretaries who answer the phone, the docs, the other staff, and the mas. language matters. if anyone asks you about it (and they probably won't), you can say why, in a light tone of voice, and not belabor it.
2. 
   Feb 10, '12

   This is exactly what I feel will happen if I say something.
   
   

   Quote from CrunchRN

   You are setting yourself up for disaster. I would wait for a while and get more established. It is endemic in MD offices and the docs do not care. They like just calling everyone my nurse. And when the MA's find out (and they will) you will need to watch your back.
   
   Once you have been there a while and established good relationships would be the time to take this on. Not when you are brand new.
   
   They should not be called nurses, but if you address this too soon I bet you will regret it.
3. 
   Feb 10, '12

   Great compromise. And my advice was predicated on over a decade as an office RN working with MA's.
4. 
   Feb 10, '12

   Looking this up.......my advice would be is to check with the PA Nursing Board and PA Nursing Association. Currently PA has NO title protection in the State OF PA although there is presently a bill on the floor of the PA senate. You could approach the practice manager (are they a nurse?) and have an open table discussion about the pending legislation. But for right now the actual title of who can call themselves a "nurse" is not protected by law in PA. If they are calling themselves a Registered Nurse they are in violation of the law. Tread lightly.
   
   http://psna.org/wp-content/uploads/2...ction_2011.pdf
   
   http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI...011/0/7645.pdf
5. 
   Feb 10, '12

   Didn't even read the comments....(will later...uhh).....it is a felony I think to represent oneself as a nurse without the LPN or RN (some other states have LPN as LVN I think). It seems the authorities or the ethics hotline should be contacted if no manager is adressing this.
6. 
   Feb 10, '12

   Thank you all!! I sincerely appreciate your insight! Now off to work Have a great day, everyone.
7. 
   Feb 10, '12

   PS why in the world does everyone have to watch their back when the law is apparent. But maybe in PA as previous poster stated it is not quite apparent. Geez. I hate the world we live in sometimes. But then.....they put that guy Jesus up on a cross for pointing out the obvious. Times don't change at all.....do they. Gosh.
8. 
   Feb 10, '12

   That the powers that be allow this to happen speaks volumes to me. In many states, what they're doing is ILLEGAL. Check the laws in your state
9. 
   Feb 10, '12

   The BON doesn't govern MA's---they don't hold a license to be accountable to anyone for!
10. 
    Feb 10, '12

    Unquestionably, this a delicate subject that I have encountered in many occasions throughout my nursing career. First of all let me warn you that by being the "NEW NURSE" you might be stepping on thin ice, regarding this issue. Furthermore, most doctors don't care if their MA's refer themselves as nurses.
    
    For example, I worked long ago in N.Y. for a well known private practice and they offer their clientele a 24 hour "Triage Nurse service" to address their pt's concerns. Following this further, once the front desk transferred the calls or the automatic system did it said " Transferring your call to a NURSE" and the MA's always stated I'm dr.So & So Nurse how can I help you".
    
    Admittedly, I brought my concerns to the 5 physician's and their two surgeon's, as well as the office manager. Having said that, I recommended that perhaps they should wear name tags that have the degree on it, such as RN, CNA, MA after their name.
    
    Needless to say, my other 2 RN colleagues didn't back me up, since they didn't want to rock the boat per say. Evidently, to my dismay from there on I was looked upon as "THE RN" and every staff member began referring to me as "Mr. RN or Oh! the RN will speak to you now" etc. the MA's staff never behave the same towards me.
    
    Consequently, I ended up resigning since it became a joke. Certainly, I was more concerned with the patients' health management. However, this private practice didn't see it that way,once the issue was brought up. Lastly, the last time I heard they hired another MA in my position once I left.
    
    In conclusion, all I have to offer you is my own experience on this issue, and I wish you the very best in all of your future endeavors... Aloha~

    Last edit by tnbutterfly on Feb 10, '12 : Reason: Reformatting post
11. 
    Feb 10, '12

    I just think it's a shame people can't be proud of what they have achieved and wear the titles with pride. ANY job in this field is tough and should be valued.
12. 
    Feb 10, '12

    I saw a news story last night about a PCT who was suspended from his hospital job for investigation of charges of sex crimes against patients. During the lead-up and story, he was referred to as a nurse, the caption on the visual said "nurse". This happened several times even though within the reporting itself he was also called a PCT. I was slightly disturbed. See no reason why the news media could not have reported this correctly.
13. 
    Feb 10, '12

    Quote from ColleenRN2B

    That the powers that be allow this to happen speaks volumes to me. In many states, what they're doing is ILLEGAL. Check the laws in your state

    The PTB do not respect nurses enough to set the example in making the distinction. If anything, they resent paying a nurse more than the MA's, if they pay a nurse more.

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