The title of "nurse"

[HeyLush3]

For the past year I have worked as a CNA at a specialty doctor's office. On a daily basis I room the pt's, take vitals, help the doctor in anyway he needs it, deal with a lot of insurance stuff, and take all the calls from my two doctor's pts. Typical clinic work.

When pt's call I have noticed the receptionist's saying, "Well, let me get you to Dr. *****'s nurse." The day I heard her say it I said, "Hey, I'm not a nurse yet (I am currently in a BSN program), don't call me one" and my MANAGER said (who is a nurse) said, "Yes you are, you have a CNA lisence, you can call yourself a nurse."

For some reason that stunned me. I just don't feel that being refered to as a nurse is okay since I am only a CNA. I don't even really like being refered to as "his assistant". What's wrong with "his CNA"??

So, my question to you is, am I over reacting?

[MNmom3boys]

To draw a parallel -

I am a CDA - certified dental assistant, just like you are a CNA - certified nursing assistant.

Never in my wildest dreams would I refer to myself, or let anyone else refer to me as a dentist. You are not (yet) a nurse, and should not be referred to as such.

Stay the course on this one, you are right! Good-luck w/ school!

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

valid point aobut the student nurse title ...

you should only be referred to as a student Nurse when you are explicitly working as one and not if you are doing CNA work.

[anurseuk]

This is one of my pet hates... In my eyes I worked hard to be able to call myself a nurse! If other people want to be nurses they should do the training!!!

Student nurse or CNA would be appropriate.

As a student nurse it was always nice when people were calling 'nurse' to think, that's not me! But when you qualify you are the nurse and you quickly realise the buck stops with you!

Good luck xx