RN’s vs NA/MA

I know I’m going to get some hatemail with this one, but this topic really bugs the hell out of me.
I get this call today from the hospital (as if the gods themselves read my blog and graced me with discharge orders) from a self identified “Nurse” from the “floor” who could barely speak english. I asked her “Oh? You’re a nurse? Where did you go to nursing school?” She gave me some junior college somewhere I had never heard of. I then asked her “Are you an RN?” She said “No, i’m just a nursing assistant”.
Why are Nursing Assistants and Medical Assistants and other NON REGISTERED NURSES calling themselves NURSES? Why?! Do pharm techs call themselves pharmacists? I dont see why they cant by their standards, they go to school, and do 3/4th of the work a pharmacist does.. Why doesnt a PA or an NP call themselves a doctor? They do basically the same job dont they? Do security guards call themselves policemen? NO!@#!
I’ll tell you why, because ITS FUCKING WRONG. Thats right, MA’s and NA calling themselves nurses is WRONG. Why haven’t the tried and true RN’s of the world put the backhand of justice down on the ignorant fools who are calling themselves something that they aren’t. Here you have the title “Nurse” splattered around any half-witted moron who completes a 4 month course at some shitty junior college only to throw “Nurse” around and ruin it for the people who went to an actual college, actually have a BS in Nursing, and actually KNOW something about medicine. It’s shitty I tell you. If I were an RN I’d be mad as hell and backhanding mofo’s left and right!
Now once in a while I’ll get someone who identified themselves as an “MA”, but with the accent it sounds like “PA” so I get confused for a second before I realize whats going on. But the majority of the grunt hospital “Nurses” really arent nurses at all, but go around using that title. Its a conspiracy, and I’m the first to report it.
Now I also get down on pharmacist who go around waving their PharmD penises in the air and demand people off the street call them “Doctor”. I can see using the “Doctor” title while you’re working on the floors in the hospital (sorta), but with the common folk? Gimme a break. Put your tiny penis away and just face the fact that you’re just a pharmacist like me, the drugnazi, and all other retail folk. Hell, I have a PharmD, didnt realize that did you? Its because I DONT FUCKING FLAUNT IT. Doctor only in title, not in spirit is what I always say.
I still havent gotten an email from DrugNazi about PharmBoozeFest’07

Comments #

Comment by TheAngriestPharmacist on 2007-05-02 23:17:57 -0700 #

Can I come to Boozefest07? I’ll buy since I’m the newbie clone wannabe…:-)
Btw – my mother is a nurse (RN) and recently told me that all the Pharmacies in my hometown (Typical City, USA) banded together and declared that ONLY LPNs, RNs, and BSNs could phone in prescriptions. The will ask you before even getting out their ink pen. Gotta have a real degree to flex your nuts around there.
Your biggest supporter,
Angriest

Comment by greensunflower on 2007-05-03 04:18:28 -0700 #

CNA’s and MA are only pulling that shit with you. Maybe they think you wont know what is going on, but RN’s? They will bitch slap a CNA who tries to get hoity toity and even think they are something like a nurse. I never used to feel this way, but now that the BSN is 3 weeks away, that 100 hour course, they take just doesnt cut the mustard.

Comment by George McNally on 2007-05-03 05:34:05 -0700 #

Amen. As the husband of a real honest to goodness R.N. and the father of a P.A., I agree with you 100%
My wife has 3 degrees but she’s most proud of her RN degree and trust me, she lays the *smackdown* on N.A.’s when she has to:-)

Comment by Mark on 2007-05-03 06:10:26 -0700 #

My mother is an LPN, but when she was an MA she was not allowed to call herself a Nurse. That was the policy of the hospital she worked at though, so it seems like it depends on the place, really.
At any rate she felt gypped because she actually went to 2 years of school to get her MA. She did a bunch of work for it, but couldn’t be called a nurse. Of course, instead of bitching and moaning she went back to school and got her LPN and now she is a nurse. (And working on her RN.) Woo.

Comment by the angry pharm tech on 2007-05-03 07:13:45 -0700 #

amazing that i tune in to this topic today, as YESTERDAY, i had what i ASSUMED to be a nurse call in with orders.
now the reason i have to assume she is a nurse, is that she seems to have a major problem with identifying herself to a lowly technician….
and if i say “is this a dr’s office?” i get a big sigh, and the “DOH” answer.
first, lemme tell ya, i field about 1000 calls a day, and MOST people who need to order their Rx’s …start with the same phrase that you just did! “i need to order perscriptions”
THAT particular phrase you think you have the patent on, is really a waste of my time.
Secondly, when you call and i transfer you to my RPH, i tell him….
“BAMBI_BIMBO from DR CANT_HIRE_FORSHIT’s office is on line one, with new orders for John Q. (amazingly enough, i can retain all of that information) Plus, if it’s NOT new orders, i can pull up the last fill file, check for changes, and just refill it, saving both you AND him time!
the RPH already has your name and office on his/her pad before they pick up the phone. Efficiency is what that is called…as well as ‘security’
I do have a working relationship with all the other REAL nurses in town, and can distinguish between actual orders, and that crack head trying to FAKE an order for the all-blessed soma!
Try this on for size. GOOD MORNING! it’s stacy with Dr Power_Hirer’s office, and i have new orders for Jack Shit.
takes two seconds…tells me where i’m goin, and demonstrates….
PROFESSIONALISM…
look it up.

Comment by C Hawkins on 2007-05-03 08:19:30 -0700 #

THANK YOU! I am an RN and it aggrivates me when people do this! I worked damn hard to earn those 2 letters behind my name! I work in a hospital and when the patients refer to the care assitants as nurses it pisses me off 🙂 Glad to see that someone else notices!

Comment by TazziRN on 2007-05-03 08:34:45 -0700 #

I love your article, except for one point: not all RNs have BSN degrees. Many of us are ADN grads from community colleges and many others graduated from diploma programs and don’t have degrees. We all hold the same license. Thank you so much for stickung up for RNs like this but please don’t exclude the ADN and diploma nurses.

Comment by geena on 2007-05-03 08:57:56 -0700 #

I’m sure that if I heard our nursing assistant or unit secretary on the phone saying that they were a nurse, I’d have to shake off my momentary shock and then have a special talk with them.
They simply would never do this. I’ve never seen anyone where I work claim to be a nurse that wasn’t.
Isn’t it against the law to call in prescriptions if you are not a nurse or doctor or PA?

Comment by Angela, RN on 2007-05-03 12:00:47 -0700 #

Hey, we ARE pissed off at that! But every time we get into a hissy about MAs calling themselves nurses, the MAs get butt-hurt and call us snobs!
They call themselves to nurses to patients too…It sucks, not to mention illegal.

Comment by Emily Coombs on 2007-05-03 12:47:56 -0700 #

Thank you for this outing of so called “Nurses”. As an RN with a BS degree it bothers me as much as it does you! Nurses doen’t speak up for themselves enough IMO and the ANA isn’t doing it for us. Thanks again for your support and for realizing (as many people don’t) that nursing is a profession whose practitioners have a vast knowledge of medicine and healing. We deserve the same respect given to doctors, pharmacists, therapists, ect.

Comment by Michelle on 2007-05-03 13:32:29 -0700 #

Now that I’ve regained consciousness after my syncopal episode, I want to sincerely thank you for your nurse imposter rant. It is much appreciated. It was also wholly unexpected — that another medical professional outside of nursing would be annoyed by the term “nurse” being tossed around to include just about everyone from radiology techs who start IVs prior to contrast-enhanced scans to the former secretary now working in a private physician practice who has had some OJT in medical terminology & ICD-9 coding. Thus, my syncopal episode.
All of the health-related disciplines rely on the contributions of all the other “players on the team.” And yes, there are significant contributions made by unlicensed assistive personnel too. But STAND UP AND BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE — don’t claim to be what you’re not.
Sheesh … I might have to go on my own rant.
Thanks again.

Comment by An Angry Nurse on 2007-05-03 14:40:54 -0700 #

THANK YOU….
Did not realize non-nurses were p.o.’d about this problem.
I can tell you one source of the problem. If you go into a docs office, they will say “my nurse will take your blood” or “the nurse will give you the shot.” More often than not, the “nurse” the doc is referring to is NOT a nurse, but an MA. Also, if the docs call them a nurse, it must be b/c they are a nurse, right?
It conveys to me a lack of respect for my knowledge on the MD’s part when they use the title “nurse” so hap-hazardly. I dont just call any person who wears a white coat a doctor.
It is against the law in many states for a non nurse to refer to herself as such, yet office personel and MD’s use the title for anyone who wears a stethescope and can take a set of vitals.

Comment by Chris Batta on 2007-05-03 16:03:54 -0700 #

Dear angry pharmacist, as if you dont have enough to deal with. I work for a large PBM that lost a bid to buy another so we have tons of cash to throw around. This is our next adventure I would like you comment on,and please pass it along to all your other angry friends. We are recruiting RPH’s like mad. The company is giving the peons 5k bonus per RPH hired and that stays for 90 days. HOw fat do you think our asses could get.?

Comment by Melanie on 2007-05-03 16:21:59 -0700 #

Similarly, do paralegals run around calling themselves lawyers? No!! I’ve had this debate several times with others.
BTW, did you know that librarianship requires a Master’s? That person who stamps your books is most likely not a librarian because she can’t do anything BUT stamp books, and perhaps shelve. You’re probably rolling your eyes, but darnit, that Master’s has value.

Comment by Grayson on 2007-05-03 17:05:12 -0700 #

Hi Angry Pharmicist. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this post. I am almost a nurse. (I still haven’t figured out if I can call myself that yet.) I just finished nursing school, but haven’t actually “walked” yet. I wouldn’t dare call myself an RN yet, (since I haven’t taken boards) but there is such thing as a graduate nurse, and I’m not even sure if I qualify for that title yet (seeing as I haven’t actually “graduated” yet). That’s why it bugs the hell out of me when other people, who have not endured the torture of nursing school, call themselves nurses. I appreciate the fact that other “professionals” recognize this problem and are bugged by it.

Comment by ErikRN on 2007-05-03 18:04:17 -0700 #

Sing it brother. Unfortunately we can’t police 100% 100% of the time. Don’t get me fucking started on the whole “medical assistants thinking they know thier ass from a hole in the ground” thing.

Comment by Judy on 2007-05-03 18:36:14 -0700 #

You can go to jail for saying you’re an RN without that license. The same doesn’t apply to the word ‘nurse’. That’s not exactly parallel to the use of ‘doctor’ when one Some of them (eg Dr. Laura) may wish to imply a different sort of education than they have, but at least they usually have a PhD or PharmD.
There has been a suggestion in some nursing circles that the use of the title ‘nurse’ be mandated to mean RN or LPN, but I think your approach of countering with “Are you an RN?” is more likely to be effective.
BTW, is it legal for a physician to delegate transmitting prescriptions to non-licensed personnel? My kids pedi has Real Nurses phone his in.

Comment by Cinder on 2007-05-03 19:04:53 -0700 #

No unlicenced personel are supposed to be calling anyone and misrepresenting themselves as nurses.The actual nurse who is their team leader,preceptor or whatever is responsible for any errors they make and their butt will be called into court if there are injuries.In the facilities I have worked at(many)it would be grounds for termination.

Comment by Just a midwife on 2007-05-04 06:25:44 -0700 #

Just so you know, it makes RNs mad as hell too. It never fails that some family member takes me to task for something that they know nothing about, “because I’m a nurse, and I know!” Oh yeah, Ms. CNA, changing the sheets and wiping butts at a nursing home qualifies you to tell me how to read a fetal monitor, doesn’t it???? Thanks for sharing our pain.

Comment by Angry,tired, RN on 2007-05-04 08:36:12 -0700 #

Finally, a blog I am interested in reading.
The angry tired RN

Comment by vicodinfairy on 2007-05-04 21:13:52 -0700 #

So, the PharmD thing has always made me laugh. We work in a first name basis environment. Who cares what your degree is? You have a license, right? So we’re pretty much on equal footing. I got my PharmD…figured I might as well. If I was working in a specialty, sure, I’d probably have it on my nametag/ID badge, but I’m pretty sure the nurses and patients on the floor would still know my by first name. I’ve only run accross one pharmacist who really got his knickers in a twist about the Dr bit. He was a dickless wonder who was lucky he passed his boards on the second try. Hell, even most doctors I run accross aren’t that uppity about being called doctor. I worked in a clinic for 2 years and addressed every doctor by his or her first name. As far as the “nurse” thing goes, the public is massivly confused on this one too. Just because someone is wearing scrubs he/she is perceived as a nurse. Wrong-o. The DESK RECEPTIONISTS at my doctor’s office wear scrubs and they can barely type a name into the terminal…but people think they are nurses! Really, there ought to be a law. I’ve had many pleasant interactions with RNs and LPNs, but the RNAs? Usually not quite with it!

Comment by WI_MD on 2007-05-04 23:44:25 -0700 #

I feel your pain.
I just moved to a new hospital where all of the RN’s wear white and all of the MA and NA have to wear green. It is a godsend! I know who to talk to if I actually want a something done competently.

Comment by MonkeyGirl on 2007-05-05 06:17:27 -0700 #

In the ER world, anyone (non-staff)who says that they are a nurse is automatically assumed to be a nursing assistant. If we are wrong in that assumption, it becomes evident fairly quickly. We are rarely wrong. 😉

Comment by A Real Nurse on 2007-05-05 09:26:41 -0700 #

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Nice to have someone outside of the nursing community recognize the impact this has on the profession.

Comment by A Real Nurse on 2007-05-05 09:41:35 -0700 #

I must add that not only is this type of misrepresentation WRONG and IRRITATING AS HELL to those of us who hold degrees and uphold professional standards but it is also ILLEGAL!!

Comment by beajerry on 2007-05-06 04:05:47 -0700 #

For some reason, saying you’re an “RN” gets more respect than saying you’re a “nurse”.
I guess that ‘registered’ part of it somehow puts a gold star on your ass.

Comment by A Bohemian Road Nurse…. on 2007-05-06 22:14:06 -0700 #

I know a med tech at a retirement (assisted living) community who has called herself a nurse for the whole past year—fooled me and a lot of doctors. (Now I know the reason that she never seems to “understand” whenever I talk about certain medical concepts.) In fact, furthermore, I found out that in both the assisted living centers she works at (which are next door to each other, owned by one person), there’s only ONE REAL NURSE to supervise ALL THE STAFF, an LVN who owns both places. I don’t know how she gets away with running two assisted living places with only herself as the only licensed staff, but she does it every day and has for years. What’s worse is that the med tech’s go home at 4pm and thus no patient can have pain meds or prns after that. LITERALLY. There is NOBODY at night to assess them or give prns.
But it’s a small town and this LVN has been getting away with letting her two assisted living communities be run by NA’s and Med techs for years and none of know what to do about it. We think she pays someone off…

Comment by ticked-off tech on 2007-05-06 22:20:27 -0700 #

Will someone explain to me why any jack-ass working at a medical office (including the fucking secretary) can pick up the phone and call in an rx to a pharmacy but only the pharmacist can take it?

Comment by juniper27 on 2007-05-07 18:48:29 -0700 #

There are always two sides to the same coin. In a hospital setting the reason the patient’s many times call CNAs nurses is because the CNAs are the ones who they relate to. they are the ones who are actually doing the nursy, taking care of patients business. So when a REAL nurse gets in a tizzy over a patient refering to a NA as “My nurse” then they should make themselves more availbe to do actual nursing care and thus get rid of that confusion.
Also, in Drs. offices the calling in of prescriptions gets handed down to the MAs many times by the nurses who dont want to be bothered with doing it.
You cant have it all ways. But, I absolutely agree that if you are not a nurse then you should NEVER tell soemone that you are. That is the ultimate in disrespect.

Comment by NocturnalDoc on 2007-05-07 22:18:32 -0700 #

At the hospital I work at, there is a PITA patient who always claims she’s a nurse…and she is a nurse’s assistant. Her mother tells everyone she is a nurse…and she is a massage therapist! WTH?

Comment by Christopher Moeller on 2007-05-08 07:52:41 -0700 #

This discussion is basically about the importance of title protection: defining titles to be used by a profession and creating legal identification for these titles by the state. The state legislates the designated titles by only allowing those who register with the state, and meet the qualifications to use them. Thus, the consumer is protected and can count on those using a registered title are only those who have met legally defined minimum qualifications.
If you think title protection for nurses is bad, think about social workers. Everyone and their mother working in the social services field claims to be a ‘social worker’, and this is the reason that the field defined the title ‘Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)’ to protect the public and those in the field who have worked hard to obtain at least a Masters Degree in Social Work and also passed a difficult state exam (think BAR exam for social workers).

Comment by ej on 2007-05-08 15:39:17 -0700 #

i’m a CNA and i make the distinction whenever i walk into a room. i’m not a nurse it’s illegal for me to tell you anything beyond my scope of practice… which is completely taking care of everything you need except your medications and medical questions…

Comment by Angry PharmTech on 2007-05-09 23:00:37 -0700 #

oh my goodness you’re halarious. I just read about 3-4 of your blog posts…
I absolutely hate it as well when nurses call from the MD’s office stating their needs the exact same way patients do… and you SIMPLY ask them “is this the doctor’s office?” and they reply w/a snotty scoff saying “ye-ah of course it is”.
I also read your “showers -they are your friend!” post. Speaking of smells… The worst is when customers pass gas (as if it’s NOT going to float over the counter to my side!) and then I have to stand there breathing out of my mouth but not too hard cause I just don’t like the thought of breathing it in at all — while ringing up their 20+ grocery items along w/their RX!!
very entertaining and very honest…

Comment by Pharmacy Student on 2007-05-17 16:34:24 -0700 #

The crazy thing here…there are no standards on who actually phones in prescriptions…All that is necessary is that a physician recognize person ‘X’ as his/her ‘agent’…and poof…’X’ can call shit it, in my state anyway…I know in my limited interning experience…RN’s are generally more knowledgable and more compentent transmitting orders than the village drunkard that just got their GED last week…..there should really be a law.

Comment by medstudentwife on 2007-05-22 17:46:31 -0700 #

I just found your blog 🙂
Nice to see a pharm blog for a change.. something I can totally relate to as I worked in pharmacy for 20 years as a TECHNICIAN, before starting a new career.
I really hear you about these blurred lines. When I was working in hospital, it was easier to keep track of what was happening to the various professions & their “designations”. Not now, especially that I am out of the profession & am trying to coach my medstudent husband in this field. I can imagine John Q Public’s confusion.
For some reason (in my minds eye), pharmacy had/still has ? not blurred the lines of Pharm D’s, Pharms & Techs, all who work well together and are very proud of what they do & who they are. I am still proud to say I was a pharm tech and just as proud about the knowledge I gained through the ability to do X% of a pharmacist’s work and their trust in my knowledge. It wasnt minion work; I was really lucky in that I felt valued as a part of a team, without having to be something I wasn’t.. and credited with knowledge I had without a grander title.
So all to say.. this blog hit home:)
medstudentwife… past pharm tech (CPhT) 🙂
miss the drugs *lol*

Comment by John Sternberger on 2007-05-24 13:10:13 -0700 #

Nice to see this post..
Now even nurses understand how doctors feel when CRNAs, DNPs, and even PA’s/NP’s claim to have equivalency with MD/DO’s.
Remember that feeling when lobbying for increased scope of “practice”..

Comment by Amy on 2007-05-26 18:13:10 -0700 #

I love it. People seem to believe that wearing scrubs gives them credibility. I’m a student, and I remember that non-medical staff members of the medical school would put on white coats to get their feet through certain doors.
Maybe I’ll just go ahead and get a cap and gown and skip all of this silly school!

Comment by Jax on 2007-06-20 16:28:37 -0700 #

I am a PharmD as well and all I have to say is “Preach on brotha”… I know a pharmacist that graduated with me that actually wrote “Dr. XXXX XXXX, PharmD” on his personal checks—what the fuck!!
As far as your MA/NA rant is concerned… I can take it just one step further…I called my personal physican’s office about my sister needing to be seen for an urgent reason… and since no Nurse was available to speak with me… the NA, who had answered the phone, actually “counseled” me on which medications to give my sister…medicines, by the way, that my sister is HIGHLY allergic to….and that DUMBSHIT would have know it if 1. she could read and 2. she got her fat ass out of her chair and actually retrieved the patient chart!!!–I know its a new concept–actually looking into the chart for information! **gasp**
As our street brethern would say “keep your pimp hand high”… and thanks for the laughs!!

Comment by gamkjd3 on 2007-07-25 19:04:34 -0700 #

I’ve been an MA for five years, I didn’t go to a fly by night school, or get a diploma from an MA mill. I received an A.S. with honors; and I’m currently attending school to become an R.N. I must say that one post was right on. I’ve had doctor’s say “oh my nurse will get you the referral you need” or “my nurse this or that” they were referring to me. I quickly correct the situation; and let the patient know that I’m just an MA, as most of our patients are elderly. I can guarantee when I finish school, I will not have that same “holier than thou” attitude that most RN’s have. You are no better than anyone else. We are all in the medical field to help people get better. So don’t give that I should be put up in an ivory tower and worshiped. Also as a former CNA who busted my ass in a hospital while the fat ass RN’s sat on their bottoms and barked orders. I think the whole thing is a joke, at least I won’t be like this breed of RN’s that have never given a bed bath or wiped a patient’s back side…heaven forbid!

Comment by Dy-Anne on 2007-07-31 23:24:13 -0700 #

I am not an RN or a MA or any other letters (I have EMD– emergency medical dispatch–but that’s WAY different).
I HATE not knowing if someone is a nurse or not. I still don’t know if the chick at my ob/gyns office is a nurse or an MA or what. It drives me nuts. I lived with two nursing students in college and I know they worked a lot harder then some 9 month course at overpriced fake college MA did.
So if you are a nurse make sure your name tag says RN or BSN. You will get my add’l respect

Comment by gamkjd3 on 2007-08-03 11:28:10 -0700 #

Dy-Anne or whatever your name is, why bash MA’s? So they went to school for nine months? Better than 6 weeks, I went for two years and received an Associates, I guess that makes me pond scum? I am in my 2nd year of nursing school; and I’m REALLY sick of this I have letters behind my name so I’m better than you mentality I have been seeing lately. GREAT you worked hard for what you wanted to be in life. Just like RN’s, they are some shitty MA’s out there. Aren’t we all suppose to be there for the patients? I’m not talking about a “love fest” but this I’m better than you is fucking old.

Comment by Caty on 2007-08-10 16:05:59 -0700 #

Thanks for making me laugh. It is nice to know that others in the medical field have noticed the misuse of term “nurse” besides me. My doctor’s office is filled with MA’s and they pick and choose what they let my doctor know. I need a document completed for an adoption application. Well I saw the doc about 2.5 weeks ago and the receptionist stated that because it is a “legal” document I would need to come in for a “extended” visit for the doctor to complete. I am an RN with 24 years of experience and it sounds like they just want an opportunity for a fat bill. I attempted to explain that the document has a date the form was completed and a date of the exam. They do not need to be the same day to be considered legal. She got real snotty with me and said, “I’m just trying to help you”. When that did not work she turfed me off to the “nurse”. The phone was answered by someone and I immediately asked, “Are you a RN or LPN?”. To her credit she replied “No, I’m a MA”. Nothing worked so I have a scheduled appt for the doctor to make a check of yes or no to three questions relating to my mental status, any infectious disease, and if I have a condition that might decrease my life expectancy. Sorry for the rant. It makes me so mad that everyone in doctors office calls themselves a nurse. Additionally, I work in cardiac rehab and I work with a secretary who also considers herself a “nurse”. I have overheard her giving medical advice for treatment as well as medication recommendations (OTC) to patients. This patient actually asked me about the advice. She knew that my co-worker was not a nurse. I corrected the info and politely (to save this girl)said that she was just trying to help. When I advised my supervisor of the incident and that I absolutely wanted this girl out of the clinical area to prevent any further problems, she just wanted me to let it go and “make nice”. I’m so sick of it. MA’s and CNA’s are scary. It’s like, see one, do one, you are one! My hospital makes RN’s wear an additional card on the ID badge in RED and large letters “RN”.

Comment by Chelsea Jean Venters on 2007-08-28 06:27:57 -0700 #

I am a 17 year old girl in my senior year of high school. Im in the miami valley career tech center. This is my second year in the MVCTC. I am taking allied health. I have always wanted to be a nurse as far back as i can remember. My program has already went on clinicals and everything and we are trying our best to learn everything as quick as possible. I think that NA’s and MA’s should be able to call themselves some what of a nurse because after all thats what we are going to school to be is a nurse. I also dont think people should run their mouths about people who call themselves nurses because its none of anyones buisness so leave it alone. Our teachers that teach us here are all very good RN’s that know what they are doing!!!!!!!! SO STOP YOUR SHIT AND GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Sarah Spears on 2007-08-31 23:14:17 -0700 #

I agree with everyone sticking up for RN’s. I just finished with my BSN and I feel like I EARNED my title. I have a neighbor that just completed the MA course, and anytime we discuss our careers, she will refer to herself as “nurse”, and will make sure everyone knows she went to a medical school (vocational). At some point I am going to have to call her out on this. MA have nothing to be ashamed of, but please, DO NOT rob somebody else of a title that rightfully belongs to us!

Comment by gamkjd3 on 2007-09-08 16:32:14 -0700 #

Sarah Spears,
I agree with you, I’m not for NA/MA calling themselves nurses. I know what I can say and not say, I’m tired of the “you only had this much training, therefore a monkey could have done your job” When I was an MA my job was just as important as your’s. Yes your job is more involved; and that’s why I am in nursing school, when I finish in two yrs. I WILL remember where I came from and I WILL let NA/MA know that they are NOT nurses, in a polite way…

Comment by learnk on 2007-10-09 19:08:46 -0700 #

this is all very interesting. the point is understood. All you TITLE earners would like to keep it that way however for you all to think you are better than CNA/MA is wrong. first of all, there is a shortage of RN programs available and theres a waitlist for everything. I dont think you should make people feel crappy just because they are trying to help people. CNAs actually do most of the HARD work while RNs that cant even speak english fill out paperwork all day. dont hate on the CNA/MA medical communities need to unite.. unless of course youre just in it for the money… like most people…. sad so sad

Comment by Boris on 2007-10-18 22:17:38 -0700 #

While this will probably get deleted, the only thing that I see here is a lot of BITCHING! Each occupational position within the accepted structure may have its accepted “title”; however, lines have not been clearly delineated and positions have not been well enough defined for anyone to single any particular group out.
The problem is with the definition of a given position and not with the interpretation of responsibilities of the individual. These people–MAs, CNAs, etc–are no more at fault than Human Resources or the company CEO for not better explaining job function.
Want a great example?
What group of people utilizes personal trainers more so than any other group? Individuals involved in the health care profession. An MD is not a physical therapist, nor is he/she a strength and rehabilitation specialist; yet, more times than I can remember, I’ve either heard of or experienced MDs recommending treatment that is contrary to current rehabilitative science.
Have your degree. I have mine. When folks next encroach upon the realm of the unfamiliar, do not be afraid to direct their concerns elsewhere–to a better informed, more qualified source.
Others that I know, do so, if necessary.

Comment by Jessica on 2007-11-08 23:36:13 -0800 #

Wow. Just wow. Another “title” weaboo. Not all CNA/MA’s call themselves nurses. I am a CNA and I never call or refer to myself as a nurse and never have. I agree that that is wrong. However, does the fact that I’m only a nurse’s aide make me a moron? Does your title make you feel that you are too good to make a bed or empty a bed pan? Does that make you any better or smarter than me? I think not. Nurses like you don’t deserve a lot of the respect that is given to them, when all they can do is sit there and say all a CNA is good for is wiping somebody’s ass or mopping the floor. That just makes you sound even more ignorant than the retards who refer to themselves as nurses.

Comment by tee on 2008-06-21 16:36:04 -0700 #

Hey dude,
Why are you so high minded? You give real pharmacist a bad name. If you had not been so money hungry, maybe you would have stayed an extra year and completed a residency somewhere and became a clinical pharmacist(a real pharmacist). Dude, you’re in RETAIL. Dont forget it! You sold your soul to make $107,000.00 at Wal-Greens or Rite-Aid, and now you’re mad at the world. You’d be lost in a clinical setting. I’m proud of the fact that I begin as a MA and CNA, it laid the foudation for the high quality of care that I give my patients every single day. Hell, you guys have only had the title of Doctor for the last 20 years or so, I remember when all yall had to have was just a BS. You’ll always be lick and stick in my book! C ya later, PharmDick!
DNSc,APRN,CS

Comment by Shy Intern on 2008-12-14 23:49:57 -0800 #

Pharmacy Boozefest! I’m not angry, but I am fun. C’mon, you know you wanna…..

Comment by india on 2009-02-15 08:33:35 -0800 #

stop whining and crying….if you are so upset about it then maybe you should draw some blood, take some vitals or even ask some minor questions instead of sitting on your FAT ASSES and expecting the MA’s to do it all… That’s why the patient calls us nurses, CAUSE WE DONT THINK WE ARE TOO GOOD TO ANSWER THEM…..all they need is some compassion which is what the NURSE has lost with all that education…SOMEONE HAS TO DO YOUR JOBS…..BIG BABIES…I am glad to know this now so i dont become a FAT ASS NON CARING RN

Comment by Herron on 2009-05-06 20:21:56 -0700 #

What bothers the hell out of me are Nurse Practitioners and Physicians Assistants who refer to themselves as “doctor” and want to be called doctor. They are not doctors. They have not trained as physicians, they have not completed medical school, they have not passed the medical boards and they have not completed a residency program. They are not doctors. It should be illegal for nurse practitioners and physicians to refer to themselves as doctors. If you want to be called a doctor of Medicine take your ass to medical school, graduate, then do an internship or residency and pass the licensing exam…otherwise you are not a doctor and you shouldn’t be referred to as doctor.

Comment by Annicka on 2009-09-24 09:24:08 -0700 #

Thank you so much! As an actual, graduated from nursing school, honest to goodness RN I am so glad to have some justification for my feelings. There is nothing I hate worse than when I talk to a “nurse” at the doctor’s office. Where I live, doctors don’t use nurses in their office. They use MA’s. Thank you again for this post.

Comment by Mary on 2009-11-05 17:13:29 -0800 #

Hey MD, get your facts straight, MA’s can not work in hospitals.

Comment by learieusLPN on 2010-09-22 08:40:39 -0700 #

check it out I am offended, and yeah I know I shouldnt have replied if I didnt like it. But I am an LPN and Im 10months away from my RN. Okay, although it is wrong for a cna to be addressing them selves as RN or LPN but sweetie hate to burst any bubbles we are all NURSES just diffrent kind so dont degrade our techs who is the reason that shit get done you damn(“bench riders”)WHO DOES SHIT BUT GIVE ORDERS AND CHART AND PASS A DAMN MEDS WHICH CAN BE TIME WAISTED, Thats one thing that my instructer is teaching us its alright to supervise,but any body can pick up a book and learn about the heart and know everything about it maybe better than a damn DR[JUST MY EXAMPLE OF,ITS ALL COMMON],my point is i have love for all techs and wish them the highest luck in pursuing there career.AND FYI I HAVE SEEN AN EDUCATED MEDICAL ASSISTANT WHO WILL GIVE AN RN A RUN FOR HER MONEY,AND THAT THE GOD HONEST TRUTH.SHE JUST WISH NOT TO BE A COCKY ASS NURSE AND DIDNT GO TRU WITH THE SCHOOLING AND SHE MAKES 22.00 AN HOUR LOL MY SISTER AND LOVE THE FACT THAT SHE IS AN ASSISTANT….i think after school RNs get the big head but MONEY DONT MAKE ME COME..god bless you all and try to be nice cause a cna can also make a nurse day at work a living hell “HATERs” #justsayin

Comment by RoseRN on 2011-09-18 13:23:29 -0700 #

THANK YOU!!!! As a RN I have a huge problem when I call my doctor’s office asking for a “nurse” and get a MA who lets me assume they are a RN. CNA, MA, and LPN’s should call themselves by their titles. If they want to refer to themselves as a “nurse” they should go to college, get the education, that earns the title RN or nurse.

Comment by RoseRN on 2011-09-18 13:29:51 -0700 #

The site thetruthaboutnursing.org shows the whole picture and demonstrates how dangerous non-RN’s calling themselves nurses’ can be.

Comment by juana on 2011-12-26 11:00:35 -0800 #

Well fuck all you fat ass bitch, when it comes to a clinic a nurse dont know shit but the computer and the chair

!

Comment by TheAngryLPN on 2012-02-14 04:35:02 -0800 #

I have to agree with TAP on his post. The first CNA I met that called themselves a “nurse” pissed me off. Announcing to a group of people if there were any concerns they could come to her because she is a “nurse” and could help…Ummm excuse me? How are you going to help? The only people that should be calling themselves nurses are RN’s and LPN’s. Let me clarify that i have the deepest respect for MA/CNA, etc. But calling yourself a nurse implies you know much more than you have been trained to do, and quite frankly, it puts you in a dangerous position. I’m sure this will piss off some of the RN’s who have been posting in here that I have the feeling don’t think LPN’s should be calling themselves Nurses either. I don’t know about where you live, but I had to go to college to get my LPN so I guess I feel like I have earned the right to call myself a Nurse.

Comment by Sue on 2014-08-09 12:34:07 -0700 #

It’s aggravate not aggrivate. Too bad your nursing education didn’t include spelling.

Comment by Sue on 2014-08-09 12:42:53 -0700 #

17 and a know it all. You’re still wet behind the ears. Get some life experience and then come here and preach about how NA’s and MA’s should be able to call themselves some kind of nurse.

Comment by Sue on 2014-08-09 12:46:25 -0700 #

CNA’s and MA’s are not allowed by law to counsel people and give medical advice. I hope none of you smart mouth ones that posted here are not doing that.

Comment by Milene RN on 2014-12-21 15:13:44 -0800 #

I understand your frustrations, I believe you are either MD or DO. The problem with your statement is, you are comparing CRNPs and CRNAs who go to school for at least 6 years with CMOAs or CNAs who went to school for only months. CRNPs and CRNAs proud themselves in calling themselves nurses, they never call themselves doctor, however to patients who don’t know the differences, they look like doctors. CNA and CMOAs however, call themselves nurses. CRNPs and CRNAs know very well the limitations of their scope of practices and that’s why they ask to increase it, and it’s only for NPs with Doctorate degree (Getting a DNP or PhD in Nursing takes another 3 years on top of their at least 6 years education to get master, totalling to at least 9 years of education, that’s exactly the time spent and needed to get an MD am I right? CRNA with doctorate degree spent at least 10 years, which close to DO degree). ANd yes I understand your frustration

Comment by Tracy on 2018-02-12 19:05:08 -0800 #

My heavens!! I don’t know who you are but you are my new hero!! Thanks for supporting the nurse struggle.

Comment by Tanya Daurbigny on 2019-11-16 22:02:59 -0800 #

Well since the “N” in LVN/LPN stands for nurse….your point is kinda MOOT ! LVN go to college AND take the NCLEX to obtain their licenses.

Comment by TeeTee the RPhT on 2020-04-08 16:26:40 -0700 #

Amen to THAT.