[hospitalstaph]

There are safety issues in nearly every occupation. However, I have always felt that the pt has a right to know who is caring for them. My last name has always been on my badge. Yes I have had pts that were verbally threatening, but they could just as easily watch for me in the parking lot after work and they don't need my last name for that. I am certainly in the minority in my department, since there are only two of us that display our last names.

This does lead me to another question...why is a RN or LPN allowed to leave her last name off, but not an MD, DO, NP, or PA? Kinda makes me feel less important "oh you don't need to know her full name, she's just a nurse" And let's face it, the doctor is much more hated than the nurses anyway! LOL

[TraumaNurseRN]

We are not required to have our last names on our badges working in the ER. (I'm glad about that) There's really no reason a patient would have to know your last name and agree it could be a safety issue because of some of the wackos that come in. When I have had patients that gave me the creeps, I've also had security take me to my car after that shift.

[justme1972]

Originally Posted by Code_VSA

I use to work the ED in Tennessee. We had our first and last names with our picture and credentials on our badge.

One day I got a call at home from a man who said I was his nurse a week ago and he wanted to ask me out for a date. I was incredulous! I asked, "How did you find my phone number?" He replied, "Oh, I called Human Resources and they wouldn't give it to me (Duh!) so I went through all the phone books."

The next day I went to my Manager and Human Resources and told them what happened. After that, staff didn't have the last name on their badges. But, I wondered why they did not implement the no last name policy eight years prior? A patient that one of the RN's had in the ER was found in her house naked and hiding behind a couch.

I now work in Canada. We have our first name, our picture, our department and our professional title(s).

I also learned my lesson. No name in the phone book....ever.

Physicians have probably had their life threatened when a loved one has died..but most physicians also have an unlisted home phone number for that very reason.

I do not think that nurses are more at risk than any other profession for something bad happening to them...however, it does surprise me that other professions are required to use their last names, and hospitals foster the "hiding" factor with nurses, when the public has a right to know who they are and who is treating them.

Social Workers...are not permitted by law, in most states, to hide their last name...can you imagine how many angry parents they have when they have taken people's children away.

Attorney's...when they lose a case, are at risk.

Judges...when they sentence people to jail/prison.

Police Officers....who are required to fully identify themselves, write tickets and arrest people.

Teachers...when they give bad grades.

Probation/Parole officers...and ALL they deal with is criminals....yet every person that is on probation/parole, knows the first and last name of their probation officer.

I agree with posters who said you can't claim to be professionals, and at the same time, "hide" at work.