Medical Assistant Identifying herself as a Nurse

[cougarnurse]

Thank you, Amber!

Notice there IS differences between the two schools. Nurses CAN be independent (NP's, etc). To me, Medical Assistant is just that....an assistant.

[Robert F]

Anyone claiming to be a nurse that is not an LPN or RN, BSN, MSN,DNP, DNS, or PhD of Nursing is full of it. I have heard the excuse time and time again, "Oh well, it's easier for the patients". This is a sorry attempt to try and get away with it, If a patient wants to call you, they can use your name; that is what it is for.

Saying that you are a nurse when you are not any of the above is like me claiming to be an M.D. because I am a male nurse and saying that it is easier for the patient to accept, with me being male. Furthermore, the level of training that a CNA or MA goes through doesnt even compare to that of an accredited LPN or RN program.

Long story short:
If you did not take the NCLEX and pass, you are not a nurse.

[Marie_LPN]

Virginia law does not permit this, thank God, although that doesn't stop some people from doing so. Bottom line is, if you're not a licensed nurse, you're not a nurse. That's like me calling myself male when i'm female.

[tclema]

I have seen that a LOT...Medical Assistants claiming to be nurses or even being referred to as office nurses when they don't even do it themselves. "The nurse will call you back"...and then it is the MA. I guess it is really easier to call a MA an office nurse for patients, but I don't think that makes it right. And I'm not even a nurse.

[wrpol]

Sounds like your a bit neurotic.This mentality is rampant in the nursing world, RN'S don't think LPN's are nurses or not "professional" anyway.

Its the estrogen I suppose!! :crazy1:

[AmandaWIRN]

Its the estrogen I suppose!! :crazy1:

What exactly do you mean by this???

[hppygr8ful]

Sounds like your a bit neurotic.This mentality is rampant in the nursing world, RN'S don't think LPN's are nurses or not "professional" anyway.

Its the estrogen I suppose!! :crazy1:

I have always recognized lpn's as nurses and your comment about estrogen shows how little you know about the profession and the significant role men play in it.

Bottom line is that in every state I've checked no one can legally call themselves a nurse unless they have completed the education and earned a license to practice

Peace

Hppy

[cougarnurse]

I have seen waaaay too many people reprimanded for calling themselves a nurse, and not having the cred's to back their up. Enough said!

As for the estrogen, I consider it an advantage at times.

[tclema]

Well, I am neither a RN or LPN, but I consider both nurses, however I don't consider a MA a nurse.

Yep, going with cougarnurse, estrogen can be an advantage.

[Marie_LPN]

Sounds like your a bit neurotic.This mentality is rampant in the nursing world, RN'S don't think LPN's are nurses or not "professional" anyway.

Its the estrogen I suppose!! :crazy1:

If the mentality is rampant, it's because of the people (notice no particular hormone mentioned here) who think it's no big deal.

Seriously, spare the estrogen reference, it's condescending, not to mention just flat-out rude and non-contributing to the conversation.