Long time no see! I haven't visited here in ages (lots of things going on personally), but when I saw this the other day, I knew I had to share....you folks here will understand it in a way no one else in my life will!
It was Thursday afternoon, I was watching Judge Joe Brown in the background as I got ready to go to work. Some lady was suing some dude for money for something (that's what happens when I half-watch something, LOL). Anyway, Judge Joe is asking the plaintiff lady what she does for a living..."you're a bus driver, right?" Lady: "Yes, and I have two jobs, I'm also a NURSE."
Joe: "Are you an RN or an LPN...?"
Lady: "I'm a medical assistant....REGISTERED."
Joe: "So, you're a bus driver and a nurse....(continues to discuss case, talks about how hard it is for her to support herself even without kids, blah blah blah).
You guys know where I am going with this. It's been discussed countless times here, I know. This was just a different forum for me to hear it in, and it made me MORE mad because all I could do was watch....and think, "THIS is how the misconceptions happen, dang it!" Anyone watching who doesn't know any better assumes that yes, this lady is a nurse.
I'm not saying her job isn't important, or that she doesn't have a role in healthcare. Of course she does. But that role is NOT of a nurse.
I know there are posters here that don't get/don't care about other people using the title "nurse," and that's fine. To each their own, no big deal. I'm just one of those people that it DOES bother, and hearing that exchange fired me up a little. The way she had to tack that word on the end...."REGISTERED"....like THAT is what makes the difference here. I realize that some MA's are registered and some are not, yes....it just has nothing to do with being a nurse either way.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I agree that the word Nurse is thrown around freely. I am not taking away from others accomplishments but a RN, LPN, and MA are all different but respected and needed in the healthcare field. Question: Why is Nursing a profession that has no defined entry into practice? The only way to become a lawyer is to go to medical school but you can become a nurses through several different avenues. I believe the misconception starts there.[/QUOte]I've met some of those lawyers who went to medical school . . . .
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I agree that the word Nurse is thrown around freely. I am not taking away from others accomplishments but a RN, LPN, and MA are all different but respected and needed in the healthcare field. Question: Why is Nursing a profession that has no defined entry into practice? The only way to become a lawyer is to go to medical school but you can become a nurses through several different avenues. I believe the misconception starts there.
I think the argument refers more to the different pathways to take the NCLEX-RN. There's been a vocal campaign for years by some factions of the nursing world to do away with ADN and diploma avenues completely. That is one of their most often mentioned reasons - the perception that the public and other members of the healthcare team are either confused or lack respect for the profession of nursing due in part to that.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
All hospitals should have this policy. I have seen most doctors not even introduce themselves at all, and it is a simple line. It will clear up a lot of confusion on the part of the pt's, who may see multiple doctors in a day and have no clue who they are talking to.
The problem is if you make a policy you have to have consequences in the event it isn't complied with. Nurse scripting is enforced by things like people with clipboards lurking outside your patient's room to make sure you aren't deviating from the script. I don't believe any physician would tolerate such a juvenile tactic.
I don't think it would even anger most because it would seem so absurd they'd forget it existed. I do think most actually do introduce themselves, but it's muttered, mumbled, heavily accented or any combo thereof.
The visit itself might even take less time than reciting the line --which is the far worse offense imo - finding out your doctor's name when you get the bill is pretty unconscionable to me.
there are certified medical assistants, but they are by no means "registered". time to bring this to the atention of state boards of nursing nationwide.
actually in ca you sit for a test, to go from certified to registered... i know i was one before becoming a nurse.
Did anyone see the NYTimes article a few months ago that talked about nurses with doctoral degrees introducing themselves as "Dr. So and So" to patients? I'm not saying I don't agree with the OP, I actually do 100%, I'm just curious what you guys think of the article/issue. If you have a PhD in any subject you technically have the legal right to the title but how does one use it in the case of nurses without totally confusing the patient?
I think that is different. It is a legal issue in many places to falsely claim to be a nurse, and you are intentionally misrepresenting your licensure and level of training/education.
You can legally call yourself a doctor if you have a PhD. You are not misrepresenting anything, so long as you do not claim to be an MD. I've never seen anyone with a PhD in a subject other than nursing catch flack for using the title "Dr." I feel like this is one of those "you are still JUST a nurse" things.
If I ever get my PhD in nursing, you can bet I will use the title Dr! To cut down on confusion you should just have your degree hanging up, or have your credentials displayed in some way (the same way MDs have MD after their name).
When introducing yourself to patients, I think it would be best just to say you are the "doctor of nursing if you are afraid of them thinking you are an MD.
I agree with some of the posters who said the term nurses and nursing is too broad. We nurse people back to health, women nurse their children, and infants bedroom's are called nurseries. I think the destinction of the term nurse is gone, just like all tissues are Kleenex to a lot of people. When I graduate I will use my credentials to identify myself so that there is no confusion as to title and education in this area.
That is what I plan to do. Expecially so if I call myself a "nurse" after getting my LPN and someone finds out I'm an LPN I wont have to hear "Oh...I thought you were a REAL nurse...".
And if I ever get my Doctorate I can use the term "doctor" in some capacity with out people screaming about my lack of an MD.
Actually, if I ever get a doctorate, I want to be called Dr. Nurse.
I am a MA, but recently became a RN........there is a HUGE difference. If I thought I was a nurse, I wouldn't have gone back to school to become one! I know exactly what you're saying. When I was working as a MA (Certified.....not registered!) I never claimed to be a nurse. Guess it just makes her feel better!
Stephalump
2,723 Posts
You think seriously think doctors are ever too busy to listen to themselves talk?