Ok I know people are sick of hearing about the MA's calling themselves nurses threads, but I just need to vent for a minute here. Because I am irritated right now. I belong to another online forum (non nursing) that I have been a part of for like 3 years. One of the people I know posted a thread the other day, saying she knew there were a lot of people who work in the medical field, and she was just curious what they do.
2 people, 1 of who I know, both said they are MA's. Then commented that the only real thing separating them from RN's is the pay. Oh and the fact that they are not allowed to push narcotics. One commented that where she works they are even allowed to start IV's under the doctors license, so it really is just the pay that separates her.
I get that people think all nurses are are med pushing poop cleaners. But I would love to see an MA go work in the ICU, or manage 8 patients on a busy Med/Surg floor, or read the strips on a telemetry floor.
The thread is a few days old, and no longer active so I am not going to comment in it. Which is probably good, because I doubt I would have been very nice. OK end vent.
I work as a CNA and last night, another CNA from the second floor came downstairs to ask the nurse for a blood pressure cuff. After a while, she came back downstairs to return it. And she says, "I feel like a nurse when I do that". WOAH ~ taking a BP makes you feel like a nurse? So what would giving meds do? Make you feel like a doctor?
I have never looked down upon a MA, a CNA, or ST because they are not a Nurse.
I don't think anyone has implied that MAs are idiots...
Just for the record...I wasn't directing my "I do feel somewhat insulted by some of the posts that imply that MA's are idiots." comment at anything said in this thread. There have been past threads that have gotten rather insulting towards MA's.
I understand the frustration from nurses that worked very hard for their title and I'm sure I will feel the same way when I finally have the title RN after my name! :) My major point was that my school did perpetuate that myth that we would have the same knowledge as a nurse when we graduated.
I have never represented myself as a nurse. Even now I keep correcting my father who insists on telling everyone that I am a nursing student. In his mind A&P class = Nursing student. No Dad, there are pre-reqs and a wait list!
A part of this original post and some comments make me cringe. I get an irry feeling of the same feeling of discrimination and racism here. The idealism that "one is better than the other, so how dare you compare us" attitude.
Nonetheless, its a biased idea because nurses do the same thing. I've heard numerous nurses glorify their jobs, by saying there is nothing different between a nurse and a doctor except the education or the fact that medical doctors can diagnose. Many RNs rant on about the doctor never being available to their patients and the nurse is the primary caretaker.
I do agree most subordinate staff or even peer disciplinary teams do not realize the liability, accountability, and responsibility that goes along with have RN attached to your name.
But most of my co-workers really respect my duties/responisibilty. A hand full, do exhibit a sense of jealous and belittle the scope of nursing practice. One tech once sarcastically inquired, "I bet you get carpal tunnel" implying that all I do is document all day. Yet, each tech/pct that hold the attitude that they can do my job, are going to school or aspire to be a nurse.
My point is : Give credit where it is due. But never think you are better than the next person (not even subconsiously)
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
A part of this original post and some comments make me cringe. I get an irry feeling of the same feeling of discrimination and racism here. The idealism that "one is better than the other, so how dare you compare us" attitude.
Nonetheless, its a biased idea because nurses do the same thing. I've heard numerous nurses glorify their jobs, by saying there is nothing different between a nurse and a doctor except the education or the fact that medical doctors can diagnose. Many RNs rant on about the doctor never being available to their patients and the nurse is the primary caretaker.
I do agree most subordinate staff or even peer disciplinary teams do not realize the liability, accountability, and responsibility that goes along with have RN attached to your name.
But most of my co-workers really respect my duties/responisibilty. A hand full, do exhibit a sense of jealous and belittle the scope of nursing practice. One tech once sarcastically inquired, "I bet you get carpal tunnel" implying that all I do is document all day. Yet, each tech/pct that hold the attitude that they can do my job, are going to school or aspire to be a nurse.
My point is : Give credit where it is due. But never think you are better than the next person (not even subconsiously)
Thanks to this forum, this is something that I've paid attention to just out of curiosity. I'm currently a nursing student, but in my experience as a patient, I have had an MA give me injections regularly at my GP's office.
I also recently had a biopsy that I had to have done twice and the first time an LPN assisted the surgeon and the second time it was a CNA (who told me she was a nurse).
I also have a fellow student who is an MA who has remarked several times about the techniques she was taught for basic skills (like vital signs) and how different they are from what she is learning now in her nursing classes.
I'm not judging anyone. I love the MA at my doctor's office, and the second biopsy I had was successful with the CNA. They both appeared to be extremely knowledgeable and had great therapeutic interactions, but I did find it interesting that the CNA called herself a nurse. It's just interesting for me at this point to observe the differing perceptions.
And for the record, I am female and doing clinicals at a LTC center and have been mistaken for being a doctor. My instructor who is female has also been mistaken on numerous occasions for being a doctor.
I also took my child to her pediatrician today. We saw the NP, and as I was checking out, I noticed a sign that said in strong language that the NP was under the direct supervision of the doctor. It made me wonder if there had been patients refusing to be seen by the NP. I know when I make appointments for myself or my daughter and the only open slot is with the NP, the receptionist always either asks or has a certain tone in her voice that says "would you be willing/is it ok for me to schedule an appointment for you to see the NP?"
No Dad, there are pre-reqs and a wait list!
KareBear0609
359 Posts
I work as a CNA and last night, another CNA from the second floor came downstairs to ask the nurse for a blood pressure cuff. After a while, she came back downstairs to return it. And she says, "I feel like a nurse when I do that". WOAH ~ taking a BP makes you feel like a nurse? So what would giving meds do? Make you feel like a doctor?