Once again.....I'm a "nurse".....

Nurses Professionalism

Published

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.

End rant. :)

What it comes down to is that in general these MAs (whatever you call them) are just pleasant, professional, and trusted by the doctors these Mas working for.

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i was just asked to give some pointers on some specific career advancement moves to a nurse i met on a plane. she sounded like she had a great idea, and i gave her my email to follow up. her resume states she has "bsn - public health nursing" and a "msn in education." i'm thinking, "something's wrong here," but i played it straight and told her with the rest of my critique that there is no such thing as a bsn in public health, because bsn is an entry-level degree, and you don't get an msn in education, and that she should never exaggerate her credentials because they do check/ stay tuned.

i did the rn to bsn and got a public health nurse certificate as well. the public health nurse is part of the bsn program. so i'm a bsn, phn. ;)

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spidey'smom, thank you for the information. ya learn something new every day. there was no indication that the bsn was other than the first nursing education this person had. could a high school grad be admitted to that program and come out with a bsn and the phn?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I've missed you guys, too! The site sure has changed, wow....just noticed there isn't a multi-quote feature for replies anymore, bummer (so sorry for not addressing any posts directly, it would take a whole page LOL).

What made me the most mad about the lady on TV was the fact that there was nothing I could do about it. When talking to someone face to face, at least you can educate them. In this case, all I could do was watch. And...fume. :nono:

I do know in my state it's also a legally protected title (and I thought I read in regards to just RN's, even, which didn't make sense to me, because an LPN is a nurse, but I digress).

I'll try not to be a stranger. :)

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
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Sweet. Thanks for the info. :)

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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).

Depends on how much time you want to devote to it, but I'd be tempted to go to that tv show's website (or the network's website), find a contact phone number, and make a complaint. And THEN tell them that one of their "guest stars" has just broken the law ON THEIR PROGRAM by declaring herself to be a nurse when she was not...and would they mind providing that woman's name and the State in which the show is filmed, so that you could just go ahead and report her? Wonder what kind of stuttering you'd hear on the other end of the phone.... ;)

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i'm just a nurse, not an lpn."

perhaps, then, she's "practically" a nurse? ;)

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what "nurse" woud have time to drive a bus LOL

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
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. :nono:

Registration does exist for medical assistants; therefore, registered medical assistants do exist. Click on the link below for more information on registered medical assistants (RMAs).

The American Registry of Medical Assistants

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Do you mean like this?

I've missed you guys, too! The site sure has changed, wow....just noticed there isn't a multi-quote feature for replies anymore, bummer (so sorry for not addressing any posts directly, it would take a whole page LOL).

What made me the most mad about the lady on TV was the fact that there was nothing I could do about it. When talking to someone face to face, at least you can educate them. In this case, all I could do was watch. And...fume. :nono:

I do know in my state it's also a legally protected title (and I thought I read in regards to just RN's, even, which didn't make sense to me, because an LPN is a nurse, but I digress).

I'll try not to be a stranger. :)

Before you utilize the multiquote, be sure it is enabled in your settings.

Go to cherrybreeze's Account above. Click "Options" and scroll to, "Edit Settings". Then scroll down and be sure the box beside, "Enable Multi-Quote Feature on Every Post " is checked; then scroll to save the settings.

To use the multiquote, click the quote icon on lower right of each post you wish to quote (it changes to red). Then, scroll to bottom of the thread and click, "Leave a Comment". All quotes will appear.

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.
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. :nono:
Actually they can be registered. It all depends on who they go through for the exam. The American Medical Technologists offer an RMA instead of the CMA which is offered by the AAMA. Qualifications
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