Referring to CMA's as nurses

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I'm not a nurse yet, but it's come to my attention that the large private practice group I work for refers to CMA's as nurses in many of our clinics. In fact, when I visited one clinic as a patient I thought the person who took my vitals, history, etc was a nurse, but now I've realized she is a CMA. What are your thoughts on this? Is this common practice in private practice clinics?

I think any and all people working in a Hospital Should have to wear their Nursing License on their clothing.

They need to have Nursing Inspectors to regulate this.

When I go to a Hospital I don't know if the person working there is a : Nurse, Cafeteria Worker, Receptionist, Volunteer, or Vet assistance visiting or whatever.

I don't see Plumbers where there title, like Master Plumber or apprentice plumber, when in question I ask.

It's really confusing to a person (Like Me) who is not in the medical field.

There are no nurse regulators like there are no Physician regulators. States are governed by the BON. IN my state all name badges have to have the position title in the name badge.

Some hospitals have the RN in huge letters.

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There are no nurse regulators like there are no Physician regulators. States are governed by the BON. IN my state all name badges have to have the position title in the name badge.

Some hospitals have the RN in huge letters.

I don't want to see hospital issued.

I want state issued License Pocket Card.

Must be displayed or must be presented upon request by anyone while working.

In Texas all License are Regulated Under The TDLR (Texas Dept Of Licensing and Regulation).

Each City or County needs a Nursing Inspector.

They need to regulate each hospital or anywhere Nurses work.

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Specializes in CVICU.
I don't want to see hospital issued.

I want state issued License Pocket Card.

Must be displayed or must be presented upon request by anyone while working.

In Texas all License are Regulated Under The TDLR (Texas Dept Of Licensing and Regulation).

Each City or County needs a Nursing Inspector.

They need to regulate each hospital or anywhere Nurses work.

Where can I get my Scarlet Letter or prisoner number tattooed on my arm? Jeeze!

There's a good reason why we shouldn't do this: our addresses (at least here), are on our mini license cards. I wouldn't want to give this info to any Joe Schmoe looking at it!

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Specializes in Public Health, OB/Peds, Public Health.

Yes, it's illegal and needs to be reported to your state BON. It's called misrepresentation and there are specific rules and state law regarding misrepresentation.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.
Same ole song and dance... No, CMA's are not nurses and should not be called nurses. *YAWN*

Why is this a recurring theme?? Why does it ruffle your feathers so?

Yes, you've earned your title! No, not all CMA's want to be nurses. No, my badge is not flipped over to hide my title (one of the most ridiculous things I've heard yet!) No, I do not call myself a nurse but I can't help that others do.

"Nurse" has become a generic term for anyone working in the office taking vitals and such. It's unfortunate but there it is.

Can't we all just get along???? Seriously! I'm so glad I don't encounter this attitude where I work.

go ahead, let the MA bashing begin! AGAIN!

Not so mellow, huh?? This is a legitimate concern.

Is this why so many "nurses" at my medical center have their ID badges flipped over?

AP, those pesky ID badges have a nasty habit of flipping over by themselves. I've yet to figure out how to get mine to stay put! :)

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm a CNA and work in school health. Everyone calls me the " School Nurse" Yes, I'm the only health person in the school most of the time, but it still irritates the heck outta me. I wear my badge everyday that says I'm a " health assistant". I can see students calling me that because they are young and don't know better. All they see is my scrubs and Bandaids. However, staff should know better. I hate being called the School Nurse ! I'm not a nurse so don't call me one. They are going to be so confused when I graduate in July as a nurse !

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Why would a medical assistant be responsible for "instructing a patient about their medications and special diet"? Did they take pharmacology and physiology? I didn't think so. I don't think that medical assistant should be instructing patients about their medications and special diets. This is above their scope of practice and way above their educational background and preparation. Its no wonder that the patients think that MAs are nurses. JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

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Specializes in Public Health, OB/Peds, Public Health.

I am trying to protect people from being called before the BON for saying they are something they are not. It has happened in FLorida, and not only with CMA's but other healthcare providers too. Be careful.

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Specializes in Med /Surg ICU Office Nurse/geriatric c.

I have just left a job in a large medical office because they continued to hire only MAs , many were unprofessional and not well educated. It is common for physicians to refer to them as "my nurse" . Clinics don''t have to pay them as much as a LPN or RN. When one of them asked me "what does MRSA mean?" I knew it was time to leave.

It is scary out there.

Good luck:twocents:

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Specializes in Public Health, OB/Peds, Public Health.

Wow! You are truly impressive and I applaud your decision. I realize that some practices are doing this and it is not acceptable. Does teh BON in your state know of this practice? If not they need to.

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Specializes in PICU/NICU.

My old Peds office had the automatic answering---- you know. push 1 if you want a prescrition refil, press 2 if you are a hospital, bla bla bla. Or you can push 3 to speak with the "triage Nurse"..... after 1 call to the traige "nurse" it was pretty obvious that this person was not a "nurse" at all. So I asked, Are you a nurse? Person says "yes" I'm Dr. SOandSo's nurse". I asked are you an RN? Person says "No, I'm a MA".

Come to find out, there is no NURSE in the office- only MA's. OK, fine.... but do not mislead your patients! This really annoys me- more as a patient than an RN myself.

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I don't want to see hospital issued.

I want state issued License Pocket Card.

Must be displayed or must be presented upon request by anyone while working.

In Texas all License are Regulated Under The TDLR (Texas Dept Of Licensing and Regulation).

Each City or County needs a Nursing Inspector.

They need to regulate each hospital or anywhere Nurses work.

I just did a search on the Texas BON, there were no nursing inspectors listed. Perhaps they have them I have never heard of a nursing inspector other than state inspectors for nursing homes,

In my home state we get a nursing license that fits into your wallet. Most places do not take it since there have been nurse imposters. Any nursing license can be verified on the internet. This is the preferred way.

If a patient had a concern over a nurse's license they can ask the nursing department for a copy or look up on the internet.

Since nurses are mobile you can not display there license.

My state requires by law that credentials are listed on your name badge, I know this is true of many states.

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