RN's shoulder patch

[cinja]

It occured to me when getting my nursing school uniforms that RN's need to stand out compared to the other staff, not everyone is a nurse. Refering to my earlier sentence, a shoulder patch should be worn when you pass the NCLEX. There would be two patches, one for each shoulder. This would allow nurses to abide by any color or clothing requirements mandated. Institutions would not be allowed to override the wear of this because it is given by the national board as a requirement. To one up this even more those with bachelors and masters would have an additional smaller patch sew above the RN patch. Those nurses that are certified in specialties would have a smaller recognition patch below as well. After watching the L&D department operate during my my wifes visit for the birth of our daughter all I saw were different color scrubs. My wife never knew which color was which and wished those that weren't nurses would quit trying to look like them. She said more than once she would ask the nurse something but her mistake, it was the dietary people getting the dishes. I told her it was managment trying to hide the fact that they are short RN's and they make everyone the same to keep the confusion. It's a tough world out there and not everyone is equal. RN's should not allow management to marginalize their education or knowledge. So, in lieu of a union, we should join together and educate the public on who and what we are. It has to be done on a national level for this to work. Off of my soap box now and back to my drug cards.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

I agree in theory, but knowing nurses, it might be difficult to get it practiced. Many nurses don't want their last name on a badge and some hide the whole badge. But I think our education should be made available to the public. We wear a big "RN" laminated card under our badge that is clearly visible to all. I like that too.

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

The laminated badges at the facility I work most often in (I am agency) has RN for nurses standard, but they may put their specialties or degree on them if they so desire! That is kind of nice!!!!! They also do NOT have to have their last names put on, just an initial for obvious reasons.

Mine just has my first name, last initial, RN...and my picture and I am happy with that! And when I want to know who is who...I look to those :)...

[cinja]

No, there would be no names on it, just a national RN symbol, like the paramedics have. I agree, I don't like having my name on my student name tag when doing certain rotations.

[cinja]

The laminated badges at the facility I work most often in (I am agency) has RN for nurses standard, but they may put their specialties or degree on them if they so desire! That is kind of nice!!!!! They also do NOT have to have their last names put on, just an initial for obvious reasons.

Mine just has my first name, last initial, RN...and my picture and I am happy with that! And when I want to know who is who...I look to those :)...

Yes, but everyone has a name badge on the front. Ever notice how most non-nurses have their badges turned around most of the time. You can have a hospital badge, that is their policy, let's make it our policy that a national RN patch will be worn on both shoulders, then there is never a doubt who the RN is.

[prmenrs, RN]

Voila!

http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/action/RN_patch.html

[Altra, BSN, RN]

It occured to me when getting my nursing school uniforms that RN's need to stand out compared to the other staff, not everyone is a nurse. Refering to my earlier sentence, a shoulder patch should be worn when you pass the NCLEX. There would be two patches, one for each shoulder. This would allow nurses to abide by any color or clothing requirements mandated. Institutions would not be allowed to override the wear of this because it is given by the national board as a requirement.

I don't necessarily disagree with your thought in principle, but there is no "national board." Nurses are licensed by the boards of nursing of the individual 50 states. Though all 50 states use the standardized NCLEX exam (since the early '90s, I believe), there is no such thing as national licensure. Individual boards of nursing are free to make their own requirements for licensure, and in some cases there are slight variations in scope of practice from state to state.

[cinja]

I don't necessarily disagree with your thought in principle, but there is no "national board." Nurses are licensed by the boards of nursing of the individual 50 states. Though all 50 states use the standardized NCLEX exam (since the early '90s, I believe), there is no such thing as national licensure. Individual boards of nursing are free to make their own requirements for licensure, and in some cases there are slight variations in scope of practice from state to state.

Right, and when you pass that NCLEX you get a patch to wear as another form of proof of license. I used the "national board" term because there is no better way for me to describe what I mean. Thanks for pointing it out and hope others read your post to make sense of mine.

[Dorito, ASN, RN]

So when you pass the boards do you request 10 patches to go on your 5 uniform/scrub tops? Or, just sew them onto lab coats and wear those over your uniforms? I think patients have enough trouble reading name tags that trying to read "patches" would be even more difficult. I do agree though that nurses should be more distinguishable that dietary, housekeeping etc. Just not sure that the "Patch" is the correct route. Maybe nurses should all wear white pants...??

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Right, and when you pass that NCLEX you get a patch to wear as another form of proof of license. I used the "national board" term because there is no better way for me to describe what I mean. Thanks for pointing it out and hope others read your post to make sense of mine.

Well, this is where the beauracracy comes into play ... NCLEX is developed by the NCSBN - the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, but this body in and of itself has nothing to do with licensure - that power is held by the individual state boards of nursing. You can pass NCLEX, but still be denied licensure by a state for any number of reasons. Passing NCLEX is not proof of licensure.

I do like the idea though, of an easily recognizable symbol. The difficulty would be getting 50 state boards to agree on what that symbol should be, and what it would symbolize. I'm not holding my breath, lol ...

[prmenrs, RN]

I'm just wondering--did anyone check the website I posted??

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

I checked it, I read it from time to time. I like the patch. I just haven't bought any yet; still going on the same 4 uniforms I bought on graduation and the same shoes from the second year of school.