I had a curious encounter at the doctor's office today. When I went in for my physical, a woman in scrubs came in ahead of the doc. She was wearing scrubs but no name tag. We hadn't met before, so I asked if she was a nurse. Yes, she replied.
I then presented her with paperwork outlining the shots I needed for school. As she looked over the paperwork, she volunteered that she was not a nurse but, in fact, a medical assistant. Oh, really? I replied. Where do you go to school for that? (I was genuinely curious.)
Well, she replied, she didn't go to school. She wasn't a "certified medical assistant," in her words, but "had a lot of experience." In fact, she'd been a CNA for 16 years, but this particular medical practice, as she explained it, "isn't like a hospital and doesn't care if you're ceritified." Hmm. Later on, the doctor sent her back to draw blood.
What would your reaction be? Obviously, she called herself a nurse, and she isn't one. (I wonder if she would have volunteered that info had she not seen my paperwork.) She called herself a medical assistant, then volunteered that she wasn't credentialed. I know nothing about MAs. Is that kosher? And what level of license does someone have to hold to be allowed to draw blood? (For what it's worth, this is the only person I've dealt with in many years at this doctor's office who wasn't wearing a name tag with credentials. Is there any kind of identification requirement?)
It really is sad. I have had conversations with many who were completely clueless. One girl said to me, after saying she was interested in the medical field: "Should I become a nurse first, or an LPN?" my reply: "Well, an LPN *is* a nurse" ... her: "Oh, it is? so should I "get my LPN" first, then go to Medical Assistant school?" me: ummmmm, no, if you were an LPN, you would have no reason to become an MA. Research the medical field a little more, and decide what you want to do"
My point is, there are waaaaaaaayyyyy more people in this world with this lack of knowledge of what we as RN's, LPN's do, and what it takes to achieve those licenses. And you know what? Most doctors dont even care. To them, mostly anybody with scrubs who does things for them is a "nurse". Just as long as nobody confuses *their* title, they are all set. Its a losing battle. But, one by one, I will correct people when I come across it.
Most doctors dont even care. To them, mostly anybody with scrubs who does things for them is a "nurse". Just as long as nobody confuses *their* title, they are all set. Its a losing battle. But, one by one, I will correct people when I come across it.
Agree. :stone But like you, I have no problem *educating* people when the subject arises.
By the way, can someone even tell me the difference between an MA and a CNA? What can one do, that the other cant?
MA programs focus on functioning in an office setting and include training in office procedures - medical filing, ICD-9 coding, interfacing with insurance companies, etc.
CNA training focuses on patient care in the acute, subacute and long-term care setting.
Specializes in ICU;CCU;Telemetry;L&D;Hospice;ER/Trauma;.
This MA, or whatever she was, was operating on the doctor's license. Whick is legal, but should she injure, maime, or harm a patient, it WILL be his neck....although, there are loopholes, as many others have stated....
Misrepresenting yourself as a nurse when you aren't is impersonation. That is punishable by jail time. In some states, it carries a max penalty of 18 mos. and a fine. She might benefit from a letter warning her to not call herself a nurse....
I have run into CNA's and MA's and Scrub Techs who have inferred in conversation that they were nurses....and then when I asked where they went to nursing school, they all balked....once they know the jig is up, they usually come clean....
A name tag and title should be on all personnel in a busy dr.'s office....it's foolishness to not do so....
YOU ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE TO WEAR IDENTIFICATION WHEN YOU ARE A MEDICAL ASSISTANT, HOWEVER WHEN YOU ENTER THE ROOM OF A PATIENT YOU ARE SUPPOSE LET THAT PATIENT KNOW WHO YOU ARE WHEN ENTERING A PATIENTS ROOM AND YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO HAVE A CERTIFICATION WHEN YOU ARE A MEDICAL ASSISTANT. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN A MEDICAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM HOW CAN YOU CALL YOURSELF A MEDICAL ASSISTANT.
Actually you DON'T have to have a certification to be a medical assistant. You have to have a certification to be CERTIFIED medical assistant. This is another reason why that field needs more boundaries set.
But she NEVER said she was a RN or an LPN. Some people are just ignorant, which means they just don't know.
Like I said, I know for a fact they never tell you in MA school to NOT say you are a nurse or that it is wrong.
Nursing is caring for people, the terms registered nurse and licensed practical nurse are specific types of nurses that care for others.
I still don't see where you got the impression this woman was trying to be misleading.
That is just my opinion.
THe fact of the matter is that a person calling themself a "nurse" in a medical setting knows full well that the are representing themself as a licensed nurse to the public when they are not. The Physicians that allow this practice would probably have a frickin cow if the PA-C/NP's started calling themselves "doctor" simply to save time and confusion. :uhoh21: I did clinicals in a clinic this past winter and always introduced myself as the student nurse working with your medical assistant today. Nobody looked confused. APN/PA/CRNA/AA shouldn't call themselves doctor ____ and CNA/MA/CMA/CST shouldn't call themselves nurse_____. THis is particularly important for the clinical settings.
THe fact of the matter is that a person calling themself a "nurse" in a medical setting knows full well that the are representing themself as a licensed nurse to the public when they are not. .
Ya'll must hang out with a much brighter bunch of people than I do.
The problem with "common sense" is that what is common to one person is not always common to others.
I *do* think there is a difference between *intentionally* saying you are a nurse and trying to impersonate one,and just being ignorant of the term "nurse".Like using it as a catch all name for someone in scrubs.Alot of people do that. I hate it. I personally think that if your job puts you even in the vicinity of patients, you should know the difference, and use the terms properly!!!
Candidate Edwards Spends Day Walking in an Area Nurse's Shoes
"As part of a job-shadowing day organized by the Service Employees International Union, a certified nursing assistant of New Rochelle, Elaine Ellis, was met by Mr. Edwards at her one-bedroom home at 5:15 a.m. yesterday and then led him through her day at the Sarah Neuman nursing home, where she has worked for 18 years. "
RNOTODAY, BSN, RN
1,116 Posts
It really is sad. I have had conversations with many who were completely clueless. One girl said to me, after saying she was interested in the medical field: "Should I become a nurse first, or an LPN?" my reply: "Well, an LPN *is* a nurse" ... her: "Oh, it is? so should I "get my LPN" first, then go to Medical Assistant school?" me: ummmmm, no, if you were an LPN, you would have no reason to become an MA. Research the medical field a little more, and decide what you want to do"
My point is, there are waaaaaaaayyyyy more people in this world with this lack of knowledge of what we as RN's, LPN's do, and what it takes to achieve those licenses. And you know what? Most doctors dont even care. To them, mostly anybody with scrubs who does things for them is a "nurse". Just as long as nobody confuses *their* title, they are all set. Its a losing battle. But, one by one, I will correct people when I come across it.