[elkpark]

Originally Posted by traumaRUs

When I was a staff nurse, I had only my first name on my name tag. I didn't mind telling folks my last name but if they wanted anything like the spelling (I have an unsual last name), then they had to get the records.

Now as an APN, I have my first and last name on my lab coat and I give all my patients my business card - even has my pager number on it - another very long story.

What is the difference between then and now, from your perspective? Why was it not okay then (having your last name on the badge), but, now, it is? (I'm not challenging or criticizing you; I'm just curious ...)

[justme1972]

I am sure the hospital is correct....because as a licensed healthcare worker, the general public has a legal right to know WHO is providing the treatment and has the right to check on the license of that individual.

It's public information.

[alkaleidi]

Originally Posted by phillyrn10

For YEARS we have had only our first name on our hospital badges (only in the ER and Psych floors), the rest of the hospital uses full names. This week we were told we MUST wear badges with our first and last names because it is against the law! (Note the Dept. of Health was visiting) Is this true??????

I've NEVER heard of it being against the law. In our ED, all staff excluding physicians and PAs have first name, last initial, credentials, and department (emergency dept in our case) as well as our mugshot on our badges. I much prefer that, considering we house the only inpatient psych facility, and are a high-traffic city for parolees. I have worked where they put your last name on your badge, and I generally find a small, cute sticker to place strategically over all but my last initial. Tape works well, also.

[nuangel1]

i agree with alkelidi i don't believe its against the law .e as nurses have a right to our privacy as well .my whole hospital have badges with 1st name last initial and our credentials with our px.i work in the ed .i have never liked having my last name on my badge .i always introduce myself as me 1st name only and tell them i am their nurse.if a pt needed to know my name ie lawsuit etc in the course of the legal process i am sure it would be provide.

[ocankhe]

It actually depends on what state you are in. Some require it as a matter of regulation and others do not. There is no correct answer to this as you are balancing the safety of the individuals care giver vs the right of the patient to know.

[elkpark]

Originally Posted by ocankhe

It actually depends on what state you are in. Some require it as a matter of regulation and others do not. There is no correct answer to this as you are balancing the safety of the individuals care giver vs the right of the patient to know.

Again, I can't recall ever seeing or hearing any "hard" information, other than the widespread belief within nursing, that having your last name on your badge is any riskier than not having it on the badge. I don't see how we can even talk about this as a "safety" issue without some evidence that using your last name is, demonstrably, more dangerous than not using it. As far as I'm concerned (and it's only my personal opinion), the only thing this practice does is make us look unprofessional.

[hypocaffeinemia]

Originally Posted by nuangel1

i agree with alkelidi i don't believe its against the law .e as nurses have a right to our privacy as well .my whole hospital have badges with 1st name last initial and our credentials with our px.i work in the ed .i have never liked having my last name on my badge .i always introduce myself as me 1st name only and tell them i am their nurse.if a pt needed to know my name ie lawsuit etc in the course of the legal process i am sure it would be provide.

I don't think that your last name would be protected under "right to privacy". Last names are very clearly public information.

I don't know any doctors, lawyers, CPAs, and so on that refuse to use their last name- and all three of those professions are just as likely to have crazy or stalker-type clients.

We have our first name under our picture, then at the bottom our first initial and last name followed by our acronym soups.

[ZASHAGALKA]

Only children and pets don't have last names . . .

Professionals DO have last names. Otherwise, we are first-named nobodies; we are walk-on roles in health care and not marquee'd stars.

~faith,
Timothy.

[ZASHAGALKA]

Previous threads on the topic:

http://allnurses.com/forums/f8/pt-th...in-171107.html

http://allnurses.com/forums/f8/last-...ts-120320.html

~faith,
Timothy.

[HM2Viking]

I work in a forensic hospital. Historically we were not required to have last names on our IDS. State law now requires last names on badges for health care workers.

On a semirelated matter is the question about putting your name and address in the phone book. I have always had my name/address in the book. Other coworkers use name# only. My philosophy has been to treat patients fairly and with respect. I have never had a problem. (If a patient wants to find you they will regardless of being listed or not.)