Friend calls herself a nurse but never really worked as one

[MommyandRN]

A friend of mine graduated college with a non-nursing degree and went into cinical research. A few years later went and got her RN degree - just because it would be good to have for her job. Remained hired with the company... talked about trying hospital nursing but it didn't pay as much as her job so she stayed with company... never worked as a nurse in a medical setting... and this has been about 5 years now. That is all fine and good. Thing is, socially - she refers to herself as being a nurse and gives medical advice... ALL the time. And even gives her 2 cents to ME who has been a hospital nurse for a long time. It is starting to bother me. I know she IS technically a nurse but if that were me I would be a bit more honest when talking about medical knowledge. I guess the same goes for all new grads who specialize and never "paid their dues" first. I just can't see her office setting providing her with that much nursing experience. Anyway I am wondering if this is just me being annoyed or if this happens alot. Would this bother you???

[LydiaNN]

If she maintains her license, she is a nurse. No, it wouldn't bother me. I know an MD who isn't practicing medicine. She is still entitled to use the MD after her name.

[pedsnursebs]

I think I understand the point the OP is trying to get across. I have a slightly similar situation with an ex sister-in-law. She has worked at a pediatrician's office as an office manager for about 15 years, but she considers herself just as qualified as any pediatric nurse to triage patients and then some. She even gave my daughter some sample antibiotics & cough suppressants she had at her house for a sinus infection when my kids were with dad for the weekend! You talk about one mad mama...especially when mama IS a pediatric nurse & would NOT give my child any prescription meds without her pediatrician's knowledge &/or approval!!!:angryfire Point is, I AM a pediatric nurse with a valid license & she thinks she knows WAY more than I do just from having worked as an office manager in a peds office. And yes...she gives medical advice to anyone who she thinks needs it...including adults.

As far as the friend goes, maybe she should just pull her aside & tell her how her behavior is kinda bothersome...just a thought.

[regularRN]

Hopefully, as she is offering medical advice, she has Liability Insurance...

[labcat01, BSN, RN]

She even gave my daughter some sample antibiotics & cough suppressants she had at her house for a sinus infection when my kids were with dad for the weekend!

UGH! Practicing medicine without a license can land you in jail. I hope she knows that

[pedsnursebs]

No kidding!! Sometimes I wish I had proof of her stupidity so I could get her into trouble. Not only is she the doctor, she's the pharmacy!! She diagnosed the problem, prescribed the medication & dispensed it!! To MY child!! Needless to say I had a temporary meltdown when I found out & let my ex know exactly how I felt about it. She & I have nothing to say to one another in the rare event that we happen to cross paths. No love lost there!

[alkaleidi]

I guess the same goes for all new grads who specialize and never "paid their dues" first.

What does this have to do with your friend? That personally hits a sore spot for me.

Um, me also. Shoot, I went into an odd specialty (mostly because of the unique experience plus the fact that it was offering about $8 more an hour than the due-paying med/surg jobs out there) directly out of nursing school, after turning down an LA travel nursing job IN a med/surg position (yes, they wanted to take a new grad right into a traveller's spot). Started travel nursing less than a year out of school, and have had a ton of diverse experience in a very short period of time, which has landed me in a level 2 ED. I suppose I didn't pay my dues either. LOL. To what, skilled care or med/surg? No thanks. I just happen to be blessed with the ability to learn new things unusually rapidly, and I get bored easily, so... my niche in nursing has suited me just fine -- I pay my dues every what, 2 years? Every time I send money to the state board of nursing.

In response to the original post, a nurse is a nurse as long as they hold a current license. They may not practice bedside nursing, but that does not mean that they don't have the same knowledge base that you and I and the rest of nurses that deliver direct patient care do. We may have a more extensive, specialized wealth of knowledge due to experience, but at the same time, who says that nurses who don't deal directly with patients don't keep up on all things "nursing"?

I think that "advice" giving is a liability that the person giving the advice should worry about. It's their license. I don't ever give advice, and every time I offer an insight, I make that clear. As we gain experience as nurses, I think we're allowed the option of sharing our knowledge (as long as it is presented as just that) without being accused of "giving medical advice."

[MommyandRN]

LOL!! Thanks for all the replies and viewpoints. What is funny is that I HATE the term "paying dues". I was using that term in comparison of what OTHER nurses may feel in a similar situation.... as an example of how some of you may feel because I know this term is used. I don't use that term myself!!!

Anyway - Of course every nurse can go into any specialty area you want to. I was wrong to insinuate she can't call herself a nurse... of course she can, you are all right to point that out. There have just been particular situations where she has been pointed out as "the nurse" and asked/given advice. And YES - I never give too much advice myself, I say "ask your doctor"... and carry malpractice insurance as well. That is why it strikes me as odd! I guess some people will always try to me more knowledgable about certain things.

Just to add - no I am not insecure by the way. Just sharing and wondering how others feel!

[caliotter3]

I have recently met a person who is a surgical technician who introduced themselves to me as a surgical nurse. It wasn't until some time later that I found out that in reality this person is not a nurse at all but a surgical technician. On every occasion when they introduce themselves to someone they say they are a surgical nurse and refer to having been involved in a surgical procedure recently. Since I have to deal with this person, I don't want to cause any strife by calling their bluff. Just find it to be very interesting. Have also noted other instances of attempts to bolster their ego by embellishing their accomplishments in life. Since it is in the realm of untruth I'm not going to argue the point at all. Not worth the trouble to me.

The comment I have to make about this nurse is that she sounds similiar; her ego needs stroking so she tries to puff herself up by giving medical advice. This may come back to bite her in the rear some day. But that will be her problem, not your's. Just let her talk herself into the hole she will find herself in some day. She is digging that hole with her mouth. Those who really know her circumstances are not favorably impressed. She is fooling herself.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

So.....has she passed the NCLEX and does she hold an RN license? If so, she's a nurse, of course....but that part is missing from the OP's post!

I know someone who graduated from college with an associate's degree in nursing, but has never passed the NCLEX. She's not a nurse, but rather someone who has a degree in nursing. She doesn't call herself a nurse, 'cause....she isn't one. Can't imagine her pain, as she can do NOTHING with that degree! She's a store clerk now.