Non-Nurses calling themselves a Nurse

[sarajasmine]

The school district my child goes to has a CNA in the school clinic, who refers to herself as "The school Nurse". I thought she was either an LVN or RN until last week when she had me come pick up my child from school. She had a little nausea but, she said she needed to stay out for two days due to a small rash on her face that she diagnosed as "Wingworm"! She told me to get an over-the-counter anti-fungal and treat for two days when she would be allowed to return to school! (I think that is practicing medicine w/o a license?!) I asked did she mean ringworm-she said no, wingworm...so, I had her write that down on the standard form they use when children are sent hm. Maybe the school board is exempt from following the law?!

Well, I took her to our family Doctor who said, she doesn't have ringworm-it's impetigo and prescribed bactriban.

My beef is that the teachers even refer to her as the school nurse-I wonder if

they even know the difference between an LVN or RN and a CNA? I sent a letter to the Assistant Superintendant for the district but, have not heard a reply. I think I am no different than most of you who have worked hard for your RN or LVN license and earn the respect of being called a "Nurse". I was a CNA before I was an LPN and have now been an RN over 20 yrs. As a CNA, I knew my place and my limits of practice. Any other parent or Nurse concerned about this?

[Cattitude]

I am an LPN and i was just wondering do RN's consider an LPN to be a nurse?

I do. Absolutely 100% do. I have worked with some incredible LPNs over the years. And heck, isn't that what the "N" stands for? Licensed Practical NURSE???? You guys are great and we are all on the same team as far as I am concerned.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Just out of curiosity, I went to the NYS BON website and dug around a bit. The language in the law states that only an RN may use the title "registered professional nurse" and only an LPN may use the title "licensed practical nurse", but nowhere does it actually say that ONLY nurses may use the title "nurse"! So, while one cannot call herself specifically an RN or LPN, it seems she could get away with calling herself simply "a nurse". That ticks me.

Off topic a bit, but along the same lines...I know there was some legislation up somewhere about making the term "baby nurse" illegal when applied to people who are actually babysitters or nannies and NOT licensed nurses. It's not uncommon for people to hire a "baby nurse" for their newborn's care in their homes....but I wonder how many of those new parents have a clue that the "baby nurse" is just an experienced babysitter, with no medical training at all??

[core0]

Our hospital is taking nominations for "Nursing excellence awards"

those eligible:

nurses

CNAs

techs

One of the hospitals that I work at refers to all staff (CNA's Nurses etc) as associates. I told one of the administrators that these are RN's they don't work at Walmart. He didn't think it was very funny. The CNO did.

David Carpenter, PA-C

[gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP]

I am an LPN and i was just wondering do RN's consider an LPN to be a nurse?

The important thing is that that the STATE does. Therefore you are legally entitled to use the title "Nurse" because you hold a license.

If you are legally a nurse, and legally licensed under the laws in your state, then you are a nurse - pure and simple. If you are not licensed according to the laws in your state, then you are not.

As far as I know all states have LVN's or LPN's so yup - you'd be a nurse!

[gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP]

One of the hospitals that I work at refers to all staff (CNA's Nurses etc) as associates. I told one of the administrators that these are RN's they don't work at Walmart. He didn't think it was very funny. The CNO did.

David Carpenter, PA-C

HIGH FIVE AND THANK YOU!!!!

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

lpn's rock !!!

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

Off topic a bit, but along the same lines...I know there was some legislation up somewhere about making the term "baby nurse" illegal when applied to people who are actually babysitters or nannies and NOT licensed nurses. It's not uncommon for people to hire a "baby nurse" for their newborn's care in their homes....but I wonder how many of those new parents have a clue that the "baby nurse" is just an experienced babysitter, with no medical training at all??

Although ‘registered professional nurse’ and ‘licensed practical nurse’ are protected titles under state law, anyone can use the word ‘nurse’ in a job title. (CAN THIS BE TRUE? OMG!!!)

Over the years, NYSNA members have voiced concern about the public being misled when they receive care from unlicensed workers called ‘baby nurses’ or ‘office nurses.’

Nurses began pushing for the legislation after two families discovered that a baby nurse had mistreated their children. The woman portraying herself as the baby nurse admitted to shaking an infant so seriously that the child sustained permanent brain damage. Courts found the child-care worker guilty of first-degree assault and sentenced her to 10 years in prison.

“Newspapers described her as a ‘monster nurse,’” said NYSNA Executive Director Lola Fehr, RN, in a written statement. “Actually, this person was not a nurse at all. The parents may have assumed that anyone called a nurse was licensed by the state.”

http://w3.rn.com/Organizational_News.asp?articleID=15838&page=RN_News&Profile=RN_Organizational+News&Headline=New+York+Protects+Title+of+Nurse%09

[Cattitude]

Just out of curiosity, I went to the NYS BON website and dug around a bit. The language in the law states that only an RN may use the title "registered professional nurse" and only an LPN may use the title "licensed practical nurse", but nowhere does it actually say that ONLY nurses may use the title "nurse"! So, while one cannot call herself specifically an RN or LPN, it seems she could get away with calling herself simply "a nurse". That ticks me.

Sadly you're right! I misread it the first time I went and viewed the Nurse practice act. It states you can't call yourself by a professional title if you don't hold one but does not specifically use the term "nurse" alone. That stinks! Maybe we need to write some e-mails.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

Sadly you're right! I misread it the first time I went and viewed the Nurse practice act. It states you can't call yourself by a professional title if you don't hold one but does not specifically use the term "nurse" alone. That stinks! Maybe we need to write some e-mails.

I'm in !!!!!! What's our plan of action????

[gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP]

Check your states occupational code - it may be there rather than in the nurse practice act.

[theofficegirl]

Every medical office I've worked in refers to CNAs, CMAs, and other non-licensed staff as "Nurse". I have never agreed with this, but I have been told by several doctors that "the nurse" is the one who provides assistance to the doctor in the office, and lessens confusion for the patients.

In a way, it's understandable, because most patients can't keep up with medical ranks, so it's easier to to call the non-doctor "nurse". I say this because I've been asked point-blank if I am an RN or an LPN, and I reply that I am a Nursing Assistant, and some patients have actually said, "Oh, so you're better than an RN!"

Then I list out the medical rankings for them.

There is no excuse - EVER - to call yourself a nurse unless you hold a nursing licsense. End of story.

[Cattitude]

I'm in !!!!!! What's our plan of action????

Look at next quote. I'll check the code first. You're willing to write an email for NY ? I know you live in the south right?

Check your states occupational code - it may be there rather than in the nurse practice act.

Thanks, I'm going to check it.