How is a Nurse Different from a Medical Assistant? During a patient’s course of receiving medical care, an individual may expect to receive care from many health care professionals. As a patient, it may not always be easy to identify who exactly your nurse is. The actual title of “Nurse” has become a generic term, often used to designate someone who provides care. As you know, a nurse does much more than just provide care; nurses treat, recognize emergencies, administer medications, and provide medical testing when necessary. The Title of Nurse The state nurse practice acts deem that in order to receive the title of nurse, one has to have graduated from an approved nursing program, and passed a national council licensure examination, and keeps his or her license current. Anyone that does not meet these criteria is not a nurse. There are numerous jobs in the healthcare field, all very important, however the title of nurse is reserved for those that are in the terms outlined above. Related: Nurse Practitioners Duties - International Nurses Association The correct designation of nurse as a title is defined by state nurse practice acts as one who is a registered nurse, an advanced practice registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. That individual is licensed and functions under a defined scope of practice. The only person who may use the title of nurse, and answer to it, is an individual who has graduated from an approved nursing program, passed a National Council Licensure Examination (the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN), and remains current in licensure. Here are the general differences between types of nurses: Registered nurses complete a program approved by a state board of nursing and must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed. Registered nurses function under a state nurse practice act and provide care in hospitals, longterm care, community, and public health settings. Registered nurses are prepared at the associate, baccalaureate, advanced practice master and doctorate of nursing practice levels of education. Scope of practice is based on the education degree. Registered nurses are responsible for direct care as well as assessment, teaching, case management, public health, and supervise LPN’s and medical assistants and complete a course of study in an accredited program with an end exam. The role of a medical assistant is to serve the needs of the physician, and employers in clinic settings. The medical assistant is supervised by an
advanced practice registered nurse and/or physician and may administer medications, such as immunizations, perform blood draws, assist in clinical procedures, and perform administrative duties. Clearly, it takes a wide range of health professionals to deliver patient care when and where it’s needed. From nurses and nursing assistants to medical assistants, each is qualified to perform a wide range of care related responsibilities. It’s the person’s education and state regulations that determine what those responsibilities are. Role of a Medical Assistant Medical assistants are trained to work both the clinical and the administrative duties of the practice they work in. Many hospitals are now starting to hire medical assistants due to the versatility of their skills. From an efficiency standpoint, medical assistants can take the patient's vital signs, and then be up to date on how to enter the information into a computer system. A medical assistant may have the job of interacting with patients, compiling patient information, including medical histories, family medical histories, anything pertinent to their care and treatment. In the administrative realm, medical assistants can be responsible for scheduling appointments, to billing and assisting patients in filling out forms. It's plain to see; medical assistants have a much more versatile role than nurses do when working in a private practice medical setting. In a hospital setting, a medical assistant often does work similar to that of a certified nursing assistant. A clinic setting there are some differences in medical assistant job responsibilities. Many clinics use medical assistants to work directly with the physician in assisting with the patient. Medical assistants can also perform certain patient procedures within a clinic setting. Related: What to Do If You’re Patient Becomes Defensive Role of a Registered Nurse Registered nurses perform a wide variety of job duties, including caring for and providing education to patients about their conditions. Nurses work with a variety of age groups of patients, from pediatric to geriatric. Many nurses specialize in one area such as neonatal intensive care, cardiac care, or dermatology. Nurses closely monitor and record patients' behavior that pertains to their medical condition at hand. Registered nurses also: •
Consult with physicians and other health care professional
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Establish patient treatment plans
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Operate medical equipment
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Supervise Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants
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Perform diagnostic tests
• Treat emergencies, such as heart attacks, strokes, accidents, and burns •
Tend to and work with and recovering patients
Most of the nation's 2.7 million nurses work in a hospital or medical environment. The remainders are typically employed in physicians' offices, home health care, nursing care centers, and government agencies. Travel nurses work wherever registered nurses are in short supply, which can be either domestically or in foreign countries. Nurses also help lift and move patients as needed, and are in close contact with patients that may have infectious diseases, so it is vital that they follow strict protocols to protect their own health. In hospitals and surgical centers, most nursing schedules consist of shifts that rotate to cover a 24 hour shift that provides patient care. There is often flexibility in nursing shifts in a hospital setting, many offer 3 twelve hour shifts per week instead of the traditional 40 hour work week of 8 hours, 5 days per week. Nurses in hospitals must be willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays, and may occasionally be on call. Nurses may also opt to work in school settings, and some large companies are now employing nurses to work as part of their staff, and be available for employee medical needs. Physicians depend heavily on their assistants and the nurses that they work with, so in both professions, it is expected that you are a good communicator. Registered Nurse, or Medical Assistant, you are a very significant part of a medical team, and your presence is much appreciated. Related: Leading Registered Nurse Patricia Gaye Proo, RN to be published in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare as New Member of the International Nurses Association Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter