Why do medical istants call themselves nurses?

I find it infuriating. I went to school for 4 years to become a nurse and cannot believe they throw around the label like it's nothing. Why do they do that? I have never thought of calling myself a doctor..or even allowing someone to mistakenly call me a doctor. I would correct them. I didn't go to school for 10 years and why would I lie to myself? I have about 3 friends who are Medical istants and when people call them nurses or ask if they are going to nursing school, they say "Yep, sure am." Are you effing kidding me? Your program is 6 months long and you were accepted the same day you applied. I applied against 500 applicants and only 15 of us were accepted. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? What a slap in the face. Why can't they just be proud of being called a Medical istant? What would you do or say..without starting a fight?