fyrelight74

I'm a PA. Graduated just a few months ago. Although we had to get checked off on some things, there are still some things that I am allowed to do that I never did during my training. That's because, even after certification, we are still able to gain skills. Most medical schools and PA schools have the phrase "see one, do one, teach one".... meaning you observe someone do it, next time you do it, and the next time you can teach someone else to do it. My doctor and I have a very good relationship, and if there is something I haven't done or don't feel comfortable with, I just say, "Hey, would you mind doing this procedure this time so I can watch your technique and you could give me tips?" He is always very happy to do this, as I'm sure your colleagues would be. No one in their right mind should look down on you for wanting to improve your skills.

I am a certified medical assistant CMA (AAMA), and never want to be called a nurse. The doctor's office I work for doesn't seem to have a problem calling us nurses, though I have mentioned they should not say that. The doctor has slowly started introducing me as "his assistant", which is fine, but sometimes the patient will be told to return for a "nurse visit"-- which is a low level coded visit where they only see an MA, not a nurse, and he tells them, "You'll just be seen by one of the nurses". I have tried to correct the staff, doctor, patients, but the older ones especially do not understand that there are other staff besides nurses and doctors. The same population do not understand the role of NPs or PAs. I have an Associates in Medical Assisting, an Associates in Human Biology, and a Bachelors in Bible. I am educated, I am good at my job. I do NOT want to be a nurse. I am in the process of applying to PA school. So, I think it boils down to education. BTW, CMA(AAMA)s don't like it when MA's call themselves certified, just because they have a certificate. There is a difference in being certified and certificated. CMA (AAMA)s have to keep our CEUs up to maintain our credentials.... so CMAs and MAs have our own little war to fight regarding names. That's one reason the CMAs have asked for possible licensing, so to differentiate between the trained, educated MAs and the MAs trained on the job or in some 6 week clinic.