"A nurse is a nurse LPN,RN, NP." There is no way that an MA can be compared to any kind of nursing. First of all Nursing is Licensed by the state, and MA's are certified. Secondly, the education is far more complex even at the level of basic nursing, as far as I know MA's are not required to take any Med-Surg class, Maternity and Peds, etc which every nurse must take and pass, LPN RN alike. Having worked my way up the ladder I can honestly say, that we are talking oranges and apples. MA's have their function and nurses too. I worked in an OBGYN's office and she had 4 MA's all of which tried to get in to nursing colleges and failed the entrance exams just to apply...now I don't want to offend anyone to imply that they were dumb, but my point is they are far less educated in the subject matter needed for nursing. I was constantly being asked how I was able to do it, and how difficult it was for them to study...my answer was and is "There is no shortcut to being a nurse you must go thru the college education/training." Yes, there are plenty of MA's who are given alot of basic nursing experience by way of their employers, but that does not imply you have as much experience or education as any nurse. I am A BSN and I do not write RX"S and would not even dare regardless of any physicians request. That is why you become a "Nurse Practitioner" and continue educating yourself. I hope this does not offend anyone it is just that I really get worked up about this issue.
