Who is a "Nurse"?

[flowerchild]

This is a spin off of a thread I recently started. I thought it would be interesting to see the results of a poll on the subject of:

Can anyone use the term/title nurse to describe thier job?

[BBnurse34]

I think that LPNs and RNs should use the title nurse. But, all caregivers are "in nursing"

I don't think anyone has ever used the title Nurse in front of my name.

I do get "hey you" alot though

[pebbles, BSN, RN]

Only RN's and LPN's. We earned it, and we continue to earn it by the complexity of the job, the skills required and the responsibility we assume.

Anyone else, I refer to as the "caregiver" - still respectful, and much more accurate!

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I have to say I feel my response would mean more if I felt that the title "nurse" was actually respected in our society... they like us and trust us, but they don't respect us, imo. We need to either change the image of nursing or come up with a new title...

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

Well, it sure would be a little interesting to know the 1 person that voted the other way....

Heather

[delirium]

Originally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER

Well, it sure would be a little interesting to know the 1 person that voted the other way....

Heather

I second that.

[Sleepyeyes]

Yes, I would like to know too....

[nakitamoon]

Totally agree with pebbles,,,, we earned it,,,, & continue to earn it,,, at times fight for it,,,,,,

Any other direct care staff,,,, referred to as 'caregiver' with much respect,,,, as I respect the job they perform,,,,,

Or~~~ *just a thought,,,,, why not,,,, go by who they really are and being proud of it,,,, "Good morning,,, I'm ~~~ I will be your CNA for the day,,,, I'm going to assist you with ,,,, " Or,,,, "Hello,, my name is ~~~I'm your,,, hskpr/dietary aide/ social service/etc ~~~~ I am here to,,,,, "

Or,,,, "Mr./Mrs~~~ You have me confused with your nurse ~~~,,,, I am your~~~ I will be happy to take a message to your nurse,,,,"

Like Heather,,,, inquiring mind would like to know ,,, the 1 vote,,, for other way,,,,,

[fergus51]

According to the law here, only RNs and LPNs. Others are caregivers maybe, but not nurses.

[Heather333]

We all worked hard to have RN/LPN behind our names. There should be some amount of respect that goes with the title of nurse.

Heather

[LPN & EMT-CT]

I totally agree with Peebles and everyone else we earned the right for LPN & RN and we continue every day to have the right to put that title behind our names. CNA's and UAP's don't and didn't have to go through nursing shool and the endless tests and sometimes torture that our instructors put us through!!

[mark_LD_RN]

no way should a person other than a licensed nurse LPN,RN ever be called a nurse or present their self as a nurse. they have not earned the right to do so. and it is also misrepresentation to the patient. patient talking to that person is expecting that person to have the responsibility and knoweldge that is required to be a nurse.

if a person wants to be called a nurse than go pay the price for it and become one. until then tell people who you are and if patient calls you are nurse inform them you are not. just like i do when a patient mistakes me for a doctor. i don't falsely represent my self as a doc, neither should unlicensed personel refer to them self as nurses. this does a great injustice to the patient not just to the nursing profession.

[CMERN]

I worked with a CMA once who continually introduced herself as "Doctor so and so's NURSE"..I wasn't a nurse yet but in school. It infuriated me then and still does when someone pulls this type misrepresentation....I bet SHE"S the ONE other vote...hahahaha:(