[Miami NightNurse]

OMG This is the second time in this post I have read something wrong. I just got home from a 4 day hospital torture. Torture as this time I was the patient, anyway I apologize to everyone and promise to keep my mouth shut until my brain function returns.

[DutchgirlRN]

Originally Posted by Miami NightNurse

oh ok. Sorry. Damn I must have been having a brain fart, totally missed the part where they told the patient they didn't have to be NPO.

Thats okay....from one brain farter to another or as I call it menopause brain

[DutchgirlRN]

Originally Posted by Nurse4years

Elusive?
Because I choose not to list of my credentials?

I am not offended that we have different opinions, but I am a little taken aback by accusatory insinuations simply because we have different opinions.

No insults have been offered. If you feel that way I do apoligize.

I pointed out that while you personally are not bothered by a person using the term nurse when they are not...that we likewise have the right to be bothered by a person who presents themselves as a licensed nurse when in fact they are not. We do not consider that belittling, only stating the truth. It is illegal and unethical.

We all have the right to freedom of speech and it is a two way street. You are adding the word accusatory into the equation, not me.

Originally Posted by Nurse4years

Yes, the answer to the original question, whether I am a nurse, is: 26 years and counting.
The answer to another question is: No, I am not always proud to be a nurse. I have been feeling quite a bit of shame for the nursing field for the last few years, but that is another thread, and I have my reasons.

I am sorry you are not always proud to be a nurse.

I may not agree with things I see in the nursing field, I may have really bad days but I always do my job to the high standards that I set for myself so that I don't have to be ashamed of my performance as a nurse. I can always be proud that I am a licensed nurse. I worked very hard to get my license and I will protect in every way.

Originally Posted by Nurse4years

Wonder why it should matter whether a "nurse" is an RN or LPN? According to states with regulations re the term "nurse", either an RN or LPN can use the term.
Why should it matter on this thread?
I have not listed my credentials as I have always preferred to keep them to myself in this forum.

It does not matter if you are an LPN, RN, DR, Nursing Student, CNA, MA, or just a person interested in nursing. All are welcome. All members are valuable and important to us. All levels of healthcare team members are important and vital to the healthcare. I think you're missing the point completely. It doesn't matter what part you play. We really do not care. Some of my best friends here on all nurses have no license. Who cares? I don't. They're good honest, caring, hard working people that's what makes them special not the license they do or don't hold.

What does matter is if you portray yourself as a licensed nurse when you are not. You have every right to not list your credentials but you have to consider that by doing so it appears that you do not have a license. This board is anonymous. People don't know who you are, what country you are in, where you work, etc...Not being willing to acknowledge the fact that you have an LPN or RN degree and a license seems a bit odd to me. Not accusatory....just odd. IMHO

[Nurse4years]

[quote=DutchgirlRN;2781383]

I pointed out that while you personally are not bothered by a person using the term nurse when they are not...that we likewise have the right to be bothered by a person who presents themselves as a licensed nurse when in fact they are not. We do not consider that belittling, only stating the truth. It is illegal and unethical.

Obviously we are having misunderstandings.
It is illegal (in all states) to present yourself as a registered or licensed nurse when you are not.
On this we agree. I totally agree that this is illegal.

It is not illegal in many states to refer to yourself as nurse when you are not.
Is this more clear? These are two different things.

From your post #22:

"If you're referring the word "nurse" yes there are other definitions such as to nurse a baby. The word nurse as in a profession is protected by law. One cannot say they are a nurse if they are not"


This statement is not true in many places. Yes- in many states people can call legally call themselves a "nurse". If you feel it is unethical, that is your opinion. My opinion happens to be different from yours.

This is a forum. A type of communication.
You say tomato, I say tomato...
Let's call this whole thing off.

[DutchgirlRN]

Originally Posted by Nurse4years

It is not illegal in many states to refer to yourself as a nurse when you are not.
Is this more clear?

Actually...it's perfectly clear to me. I agree to disagree.

Now back to our regularly scheduled thread... persons who impersonate a licensed nurse present a clear and present danger. Such a person may believe that they hold the knowledge of a nurse, but they don't, they don't earn a nurses salary, they don't hold a license, what they don't hold is the motivation go to nursing school and become a legally licensed nurse who is proud of who she it. Sign me one proud RN I believe the vast majority of nurses on this board believe that no matter where you live that calling yourself a nurse is not only illegal but unethical as well. Dress up play time ended in elementary school.

[BayouLPN]

Originally Posted by DutchgirlRN

The term "nurse" and the term THE NURSE is still the term nurse. The person who takes them to the bathroom and put them to bed is the Aide, not the nurse. The patients may not care about the difference, the problem is the aide allows theirselves to be referred to as a nurse and she is wrong to do so. Then they begin calling themselves nurses outside of work and there we go again.

You are so right. I don't thing they should do it, just don't let it bother me anymore. And when they call themselves that outside of work, it can cause confusion. For instance, when I was new to the facility...someone called for "ANN". I knew the nurses names from my copy of the schedule. I, however, did not know very many other employees names. I asked what department "Ann" was in to better locate this person. He said "Ann" is a nurse. I said, "we don't have a nurse named "Ann" here. After a couple of minutes of arguments, I suggested he call this person at home as she did not work here. A few minutes later, a CNA came up and said, "I am going to get an important call this morning, will you please let me take it on this phone....You guessed it...ANN. I did not apologize, but suggested she state her title & department correctly to "important callers".

[Haunted]

Originally Posted by Nurse4years

Wonder why it should matter whether a "nurse" is an RN or LPN? According to states with regulations re the term "nurse", either an RN or LPN can use the term.
Why should it matter on this thread?
Yes, the answer to the original question, whether I am a nurse, is: 26 years and counting.
The answer to another question is: No, I am not always proud to be a nurse. I have been feeling quite a bit of shame for the nursing field for the last few years, but that is another thread, and I have my reasons.
I have not listed my credentials as I have always preferred to keep them to myself in this forum.

OK, that's fair enough not to state your "credentials". But After reading through all these posts I do believe it impacts the OP's original concerns. Many people on this thread have stated valid concerns over people giving the impression that they are professional and licensed nurses when they are CNA's or MA's. These are also extremely important health care professionals and when dealing with patients (CONSUMERS) education is key.

If you have a patient in pain asking for an IVP and the CNA answers the calllight that patient is entitled to a reasonable xpectation of care. Having been on that side of the call light, I want to know who you are, and in what capacity you are able to care for me.

Read the Patients Bill of Rights. It;s in EVERY hospital elevator, on the back of every consent that you sign and it states specifically that ANYONE who provides care for you, from surgery to transportation must state who they are and what they are doing.

We are given this wonderful opportunity, this education and instinct towards our fellow man for many reasons, one of them, most importantly is to EDUCATE. We do that by providing them with information which also includes their decision making in their plan of care. Also, I need my CNA, my MA and everyone else on that floor. You are all a part of the healthcare TEAM.

[Nurse4years]

Originally Posted by Haunted

If you have a patient in pain asking for an IVP and the CNA answers the calllight that patient is entitled to a reasonable xpectation of care. Having been on that side of the call light, I want to know who you are, and in what capacity you are able to care for me.

Read the Patients Bill of Rights. It;s in EVERY hospital elevator, on the back of every consent that you sign and it states specifically that ANYONE who provides care for you, from surgery to transportation must state who they are and what they are doing.

Of course. At no time would it be appropriate to do otherwise.
Perhaps there should be specifics in this thread.

We are given this wonderful opportunity, this education and instinct towards our fellow man for many reasons, one of them, most importantly is to EDUCATE.

??? I find this attitude in nursing very self-righteous.
If Sally at Dr. Smith's office wants to tell someone that she is "one of Dr. Smith's nurses, I just don't care. If she states that she is an NP, RN, LPN, PA, etc, and is not- that is illegal. If she gives bad advise by stating "I am a nurse", that is unethical-and could eventually bite Dr. Smith and Sally on the a## (yes, it may be illegal in some places). She and Dr. Smith are also personally responsible for advise coming from that office.
Every state currently has statutes re misrepresentation, use of the term "registered" or "licensed" nurse. Additional regulations I believe would be attempting to microregulate (my word).
We are not going to make the world a better place with more regulations, but with personally responsibility.
These are my opinions, but I respect that others think differently.

[Haunted]

Originally Posted by Nurse4years

??? I find this attitude in nursing very self-righteous.
If Sally at Dr. Smith's office wants to tell someone that she is "one of Dr. Smith's nurses, I just don't care. If she states that she is an NP, RN, LPN, PA, etc, and is not- that is illegal. If she gives bad advise by stating "I am a nurse", that is unethical-and could eventually bite Dr. Smith and Sally on the a## (yes, it may be illegal in some places). She and Dr. Smith are also personally responsible for advise coming from that office.
Every state currently has statutes re misrepresentation, use of the term "registered" or "licensed" nurse. Additional regulations I believe would be attempting to microregulate (my word).
We are not going to make the world a better place with more regulations, but with personally responsibility.
These are my opinions, but I respect that others think differently.

And personal responsibility is EXACTLY what the topic here is about. The Patients Bill of Rights was designed to help include patient's in their plan of care. Part of that is education, which NURSES are trained to provide. We must assess that persons ability to process information and demonstrate appropriate return feedback.

Regarding "Sally" stating she is a nurse in an MD office, maybe she is and can discuss a health concern with me as a patient. She can also perform certain tasks, such as refilling a scrip, requesting lab work or diagnostics and interpret them and convey them to me in a way I can understand. A medical assistant is a very important member of this team, but they are in that office to obtain baseline information (vital signs) and document my complaints and concerns.

By the way, I am digging your phrase "microregulate" and understand your concern regarding regulations and rules. You do have a point in many regards, however the Department of Consumer Affairs is way ahead of you there and has volumes published on the limits and duties of both my education, skills and responsibilities when I am functioning in my capacity as a Registered Nurse. I'm really really proud of those initials after my name. I worked very hard for them and I'm very, very good at what I do. Self Rightous? You betcha.

[Melinurse]

I agree. I thought I knew alot when I was in nursing school. Now that I've graduated, I realize I know squat!!!! The " by the book " thing schools go by does not teach you what you need for the real world of nursing. Yeah, it sort of prepares you, but , well you know. Most of all, what if she gave bad advise? What would be the legal implication there? I'm writing because alot of the CNA's I work with who are going to " nursing school " act and talk the same way.