I didnt believe this was happening until I went to the dermatologist last week and the nurse who was wearing a nurses name tag that said her name and her title as charge nurse. She was talking to me about nursing while giving me a shot for pain, telling me she never finished nursing school because it was too hard. I was in disbelief that she was administering meds into my leg!
Then she assisted the doctor with sewing my stitches. I talked with my mother in law who has worked for many surgeons over the years as an office manager, she told me that this happens all the time. She said if the doctor feels the person is competent then they will hire them as a nurse.
I find this to be unethical and I certainly do not think she should be wearing a nurses badge. I know its illegal to pose as a doctor, why not a nurse? Does anyone find this as crazy as I do?
I can see them hiring them as a medical assistant, they are allow to give shots (but not help with suturing unless its just cleaning the area before and handing instruments...) From what I heard (tell me if I am wrong) in california you do not have to hold a lisence to work as a public health nurse but have to have your BSN...I do now that many people get hired and work as a nurse before they take their exam but must pass before 6months or somthin
after their hire
The current law in CA is that you have to hold your RN license before you can even sit for your PHN certification test. I believe only BSN programs offer the extra contact hours necessary to qualify for the PHN cert. In CA, the title "nurse" (not just RN or LVN) is protected by law. The people that get hired as nurses but have six months to pass boards have to 1. have graduated nursing school and 2. got the interim permit to practice nursing from the BON and 3. have to work under an RN at all times. They are allowed to call themselves nurses, either graduate nurse or IPN, before passing boards (again, this is CA law).
I can see them hiring them as a medical assistant, they are allow to give shots (but not help with suturing unless its just cleaning the area before and handing instruments...) From what I heard (tell me if I am wrong) in california you do not have to hold a lisence to work as a public health nurse but have to have your BSN...I do now that many people get hired and work as a nurse before they take their exam but must pass before 6months or somthin
after their hire
If a physician is the one who is actually doing the suturing and supervising the MA's work, why shouldn't a medical assistant be allowed to help suture a patient? It's not exactly rocket science... What are they going to do, cut the sutures too long? Too short?
My how the tables have turned-- the term "nurse" should be reserved for LPNs and RN's despite the fact that other groups have been using this term to refer to themselves for years in other fields. Now you know how physicians feel re: the DNP's.
this is obviously supported by the physician and the hospital....a nurse is a nurse is a nurse or not. could this be why we are seen and treated by the profession as we are today???
this is obviously supported by the physician and the hospital....a nurse is a nurse is a nurse or not. could this be why we are seen and treated by the profession as we are today???
i have to agree with you. i think the general public somewhat percieves anyone with scrubs on as a nurse now. its funny how many people in public will walk up to you when you have scrubs on and ask you if they can show you their plantars warts or if you think they should get surgery on their tatas.
the doctors i work with are guilty of it too, and they said "well my nurse...", and i have to give them a gentle reminder the title nurse refers to a person who is licensed by the state as a registered or practical nurse....
it is quite aggrevating to work so hard in nursing school when you can go throw the title i covet so badly around without earning it.....
My stomach knotted up every time I'd call my old physicians office & was asked to "press 2 to speak with a nurse." Now, I know there's no nurse there unless she's a patient!
The Maryland BON website states "It is unlawful for any person to use the title, "Nurse", or to practice in Maryland without a license from the Maryland Board of Nursing" I'd imagine this is so in most states, but it's definately worth a query to your BON. And, yes, the doctors are equally at fault because they are aware it goes on.
My how the tables have turned-- the term "nurse" should be reserved for LPNs and RN's despite the fact that other groups have been using this term to refer to themselves for years in other fields. Now you know how physicians feel re: the DNP's.
At least the DNPs actually have a doctorate to call themselves "doctor". That's not quite the same as an MA referring to herself as a nurse.
Ok, then I think it;s time we all got together and demanded that only someone who finished Nursing school and Passed Boards has the right to call them selves "Nurse". According to this web site there are enough of us here to make the change. I'm not sure how we would go about demanding this. I do know that talking about how up-setting it is to deal with this as often as we do, and doing nothing about it, isn't going to change the situation. Any ideas???
CABG patch kid, BSN, RN
546 Posts
The current law in CA is that you have to hold your RN license before you can even sit for your PHN certification test. I believe only BSN programs offer the extra contact hours necessary to qualify for the PHN cert. In CA, the title "nurse" (not just RN or LVN) is protected by law. The people that get hired as nurses but have six months to pass boards have to 1. have graduated nursing school and 2. got the interim permit to practice nursing from the BON and 3. have to work under an RN at all times. They are allowed to call themselves nurses, either graduate nurse or IPN, before passing boards (again, this is CA law).