What do you do about MA, GNA, etc calling themselves nurses?

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Ok, we have all known someone who calls themselves a "nurse" when they are an MA, GNA, tech, etc. What do you do when someone calls themselves a nurse and you know/suspect that they are not? Do you call them on it? Point out that they are breaking the law? Ask them what nursing school they graduated from? Ask if they are an RN or LPN/LVN? Or, do you just let it slide?

Do you correct patients, doctors who call aides or techs "nurse"?

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

It depends on who they're saying it to, whether they're doing any harm by saying it, and the mood I'm in, as to what I'd do. I'd never confront them in front of anyone, but would probably say something about the legalities of it all. If they continued to do it, I might take it higher.

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Specializes in Dialysis, Long-term care, Med-Surg.

I ask "what nursing program did you graduate from" or "are you an lpn/RN?" if it's in a professional setting. If it's a personal setting, I figure they'll get caught in their lie soon enough!

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Again, where is the "beating a dead horse" emoticon when you need one!? Someone posts about this just about every week! It's always a good idea to look through older threads on this issue than start a new one.

The MA at my GP's office calls herself a nurse. It irritates me and not to mention it's illegal, but I have never said anything. All the MA's in that office call themselves nurses. I haven't said anything because I am just a nursing student, but I've been thinking about it. It drives me nuts.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

Just wait until they royally screw up then they won't be calling themselves a nurse.

What's sad is that it takes endangering the patient for them to realize this.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
Again, where is the "beating a dead horse" emoticon when you need one!? Someone posts about this just about every week! It's always a good idea to look through older threads on this issue than start a new one.

The MA at my GP's office calls herself a nurse. It irritates me and not to mention it's illegal, but I have never said anything. All the MA's in that office call themselves nurses. I haven't said anything because I am just a nursing student, but I've been thinking about it. It drives me nuts.

I was thinking the same thing about beating a dead horse, but you bet me to it.

I have never personally encountered it at my doctor's office, but "where did you go to nursing school?" or something to that effect ("did you go to nursing school around here?") sounds like a casual way to raise the point without actually being confrontational.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

How about "You say you are a nurse......?" Watch 'em squirm. Then ask the doc the same thing. The MA etc are working under the doctors direction, thus his license. Only if they advertise in print or verbally have you ammunition. Then mention your relationship with the BON. In my case I was in the same class with the former director....

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

to psu: have they got business cards saying they are Nurses or a phone directory listing of Nurses telephone extension.....?

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Again, where is the "beating a dead horse" emoticon when you need one!? Someone posts about this just about every week! It's always a good idea to look through older threads on this issue than start a new one.

There use to be one! I don't see it now. Must have been removed.

horse.giffound this one but not on AN

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
to psu: have they got business cards saying they are Nurses or a phone directory listing of Nurses telephone extension.....?

Well, that's different and totally inappropriate. At this point I would go above them and bring it up to the doctor, and perhaps higher if the doctor shrugs it off or gives me attitiude about it.

I was thinking more something like this...MA comes in to draw blood and says "My name is (name), I'm one of the nurses here and I'm going to draw your blood." As I said, this never happened to me, but in this case I would probably just say something to that individual and make a point without making a scene about.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

Long story short, if it is even remotely professional setting, representing ANY type of practice, caling oneself a nurse without being a licensed nurse is fraud, a felony, equivalent to an RN referring to themselves as Dr. So-and-SO.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.

LoL! A friend of mine was just ranting today about Rachel Ray referring to herself as a chef. My friend graduated from Johnson & Wales and is a stickler for "cooks" who call themselves "chefs." It's not just us who dislike this, lol. I don't know if her profession comes with any legalities for this, but it's still something to think about :D

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