Referring to CMA's as nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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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 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,

I don't think we have Inspector, I think we need them.

I don't think they have pocket cards either, I think they need them.

I just think it's confusing when you walk into a hospital or doctors office, and almost everyone is wearing scrubs and you can't tell if the person is a Doctor, Nurse, RN, CNA, Receptionist.

I just think a badge displayed would help out the general public.

I think the word "Nurse" is more of a general term used in the medical field....

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i have been a nurse many years in texas and don't know anything about nursing inspectors other than those who inspect nursing homes. however, i am not showing my nursing license to anyone ( cant cause i don't even carry it) by request or not. if they want to get info on me then they will be directed to my supervisor.

i do wear my name badge at all times that clearly identifies me as a licensed nurse

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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Your nursing license would include your address and I'm not up for sharing that with all patients. Not going to happen. My badge has my name and title. That's sufficient. I am all for all healthcare workers wearing badges that identify them by their appropriate titles. Many doctors would be against it because it would show they aren't hiring nurses but that are passing off their staff as them anyway. It's misleading and unfair to patients. I would refuse to do it. I don't call myself a doctor or NP because I'm not one. I wish others would have the same respect for nurses who had to sit and pass boards.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cath Lab, Cardiology,Neuro.

Here in Mass. there is a multi-specialty practice where I unfortunately did my MA externship (alot of catty bit**es, pushing MA's out of their scope of practice, and doctors who were terribly rude towards me) and the one thing which was a pet peeve and something no MA should do and NO MA on externship should do is go over the pt's med list, call in refills, and at this place the MA's were writing out prescriptions and giving them to the Dr to sign! Alot of instances pt's were on 30 meds, did not know the names of what they were taking and if they were taking them and if the pharmacy gave them the brand name, we had the generic written and there was mass chaos! Also it took forever to go over the med list and the doctor was waiting and one ripped the chart out of my hands! MA's should NOT deal with prescriptions! Also the MA supervisor, when dealing with my school signed her name to one of the letters with "RN" but when she signed my eval, she put "MA"

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I know this isn't practical, but the best way to un-confuse the patient would be if the lab coats were color coded to distinguish job descriptions. My eyesight isn't great, people don't always come close enough for me to focus on the badges. In addition to the difficulty figuring out if someone's a nurse, I can't distinguish between the doctors. Are they 1 day out of medical school, or are they licensed practicing physicians? A young female fellow positively bristled when I mistook her for an aide. I guess I insulted her, but she looked about 17, didn't introduce herself, and I couldn't make out anything on her badge.

If not revealed, I would like to ask these unknown people what their status is up front, but feel it would come across like I'm judging them.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.
Also the MA supervisor, when dealing with my school signed her name to one of the letters with "RN" but when she signed my eval, she put "MA"

OMG!!:angryfire She absolutely should be reported!!

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.
I know this isn't practical, but the best way to un-confuse the patient would be if the lab coats were color coded to distinguish job descriptions.

Ah, but Anxious...you'd have to have a national color code for each healthcare provider :)

If not revealed, I would like to ask these unknown people what their status is up front, but feel it would come across like I'm judging them.

Next time, ASK! It's your right to know who you're dealing with!! If they feel judged, that's their little red wagon!

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Specializes in mental health; hangover remedies.
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! :)

Put it on the wrong way and let it flip itself right. :idea:

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.
Put it on the wrong way and let it flip itself right. :idea:

you know that's a great idea. mine is always turning itself around and sideways and never stays put. i will try and put it on backwards on my pulley thing and see if it will flip around to the front!

i just introduce myself and write on the board every time i work.

i'll put in nice big letters:

today is january 30, 2009

you are in room 3012

your nurse is allison

your charge nurse is ______

your nurse tech is _______

please call # _____ if you need anything

that way, there is not much confusion of who they're looking for.

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i have been a nurse many years in texas and don't know anything about nursing inspectors other than those who inspect nursing homes. however, i am not showing my nursing license to anyone ( cant cause i don't even carry it) by request or not. if they want to get info on me then they will be directed to my supervisor.

i do wear my name badge at all times that clearly identifies me as a licensed nurse

that should be another rule in texas.

must carry and present licenses upon request.

texas bon should issue a licesne with your d.o.b. and validity of licenses date and your name on it.

i find it odd that a licensed nurse doesn't have to carry a license on them while working in texas.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I'd be highly offended if someone thought i was a MA. They have their place in the system for sure, but their education is absolutely not comparable to mine.

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