Still on my soapbox

7 Wondering where the bottom will be. Our local hospital started actively hiring Medical Assistants not long ago (now that they are on a tiered system with higher levels of legal scope of practice). Now, they're not only hiring them, but asking the college to add another semester of MA program enrollment which effectively doubles the yearly output of MA graduates. What they're not asking for are more nurses. (They had started hiring LPN's instead of RN's, but now the focus is on MA's.)While this example is a microcosm-- and admittedly anecdotal evidence-- it makes me shudder when I think of the future of nursing. Where does it all end? Last edit by Guttercat on Apr 1, '14
It is a very scary thought. They want everyone to have an RN,BSN, but then they are going to replace you with an MA once you spend that $$$$.

Quote from xoemmylouoxIt is a very scary thought. They want everyone to have an RN,BSN, but then they are going to replace you with an MA once you spend that $$$$.

Can we ask what state you are in?

We have several MA's who work with us in the hospital. I was under the assumption that MA's were well educated, but sadly, I have found quite the opposite. I don't know what their educational curriculum is like, but the ones we have here do not seem to know a whole lot about nursing. Maybe their education was geared more toward working in offices, or maybe it is just this area. Not trying to bash them, but the ones we work with could not possibly function as nurses.

What are the MAs doing? I've onky ever seen an MA in an office.My BFF is an MA and I love her to death, but she calls lasix a "water pill" and asked me what an analgesic was the other day. She is a great MA and graduated over 3 years ago... I just don't know how one would function in a hospital position

I guess patient deaths and complications sky rocketing might turn it around after years of study of course.

I'm also curious what the MAs are doing. Nurses' aide/tech stuff? Passing meds (I assume under the RN's license)? I've never heard of MAs in the acute care hospital setting.

"-- it makes me shudder when I think of the future of nursing. Where does it all end?" GuttercatWhen the cafeteria ladies are handing out little med cups along with the jello molds.

At my hospital, MA's aren't allowed to work as CNA's; even though they have a higher level of training, they don't have the certificate. I know some Unit Secretaries that are MA's but don't know of any other positions they hold. When I was a secretary, I was also an EMT-I. Even though I was allowed to intubate and start IV's in the field, I couldn't do much at the hospital.

Our state fought back the "non-licensed assistive personnel" push years ago by lobbying our legislature really hard. As a result, certification of CNA's was put into the Nurse Practice Act and is regulated by our State Board of Nursing. But here is the dirty little secret. MA's in our state, have no certification, no practice limitations. They can do whatever the MD says they can do. (In theory, they could do brain surgery under supervision.) No one regulates them. And many of them are (forgive me) dumber than stumps. I've taught many MA's who are trying to become RN's and some are very bright. They learn quickly and many rise to the tops of their class. But they came in pretty ignorant and do no better than off-the-street beginning students.Does your state Nurses association have a lobbyist. I swear... you have got to fight this on the legislative level. I'm very disappointed in the ANA. Crickets.

Quote from Ruas61I guess patient deaths and complications sky rocketing might turn it around after years of study of course.

What are MAs doing in the hospital?