Why do Nurse's wear there degree on there name badges?

eagleriver · Mar 2, 2003

Since I was here last, I have graduated, and returned for my master's degree. I'm in an Alzheimer's unit and I don't even wear a name tag! Occasionally, it takes a few minutes to convince my patients I'm not just one of them! :roll The company I work for keeps promising me a name tag, but I'm still waiting... I don't know what it'll say, but I guess I'll wear it regardless.

Patients are health care consumers...the operative word being "consumers." Just as some consumers want to drive the biggest, baddest, most fuel hungry SUV, even if they never carry anything or anyone with them, some health consumers feel they need the most highly credentialed (even if not the most competent) person possible to give them routine care.

I don't feel like encouraging such a mindset. I'd rather patients accept that all nurses have worked hard to become competent. It may be best that all name badges simply say "Nurse." If a patient is being cared for by what she/he considers to be a "lesser" nurse, they may falsely perceive that a lower quality of care is being given.

Perhaps nurses should have name tags with all the credentials to wear when they go to "nursley" gatherings, but the public should trust that a nurse is special and she/he will help them get better.

mark_LD_RN · Mar 2, 2003

I wear it on my badge because i am proud of my accomplishments. it is not an ego thing or done to show i am better than anyone else. I wear it with pride as should anyone else no matter what level or credentials you have, BE PROUD OF YOURSELF AND YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

baseline · Mar 2, 2003

Our hospital, your first name is in large black type. The RN is HUGE and bright red. Your last name and whatever initials you want to put behind it are in small black print. The idea being that the patient can see your name, and that you are an RN. Truthfully guys, most patients don't even know what education is required, and could care less. They want to feel cared for and safe.

Overland1, RN · Mar 2, 2003

Most states and almost all facilities require that a person's name (at least a first name, if in sensitive units such as Psych) and level of licensure be listed on the name tag. I don't see a problem with hurt feelings if that convention is applied.

Regarding the education of patients about the various levels of education, I wish I had the time to do that :chuckle.

I recall a few years ago when I entered the room of a patient with the ER doc (female doc), and the patient (older guy) kept addresssing me as "doc" and her as "nurse". We both attempted to explain to him that she was the "doc", but he still kept calling me "doc". The physician and I laughed about it for a long time .

cpgrn · Mar 2, 2003

Originally posted by Susy K

Me too baseline!

And in answer to the question, I wear them on my badge because I earned them, along with the right to do so.

There.

Exactly! Enough said.

baseline · Mar 2, 2003

Older patients in particular, can't quite get past the male doc image in their heads. And that's ok, its part of caring for the elderly. What with so many caregivers calling them "honey" I guess we can adjust!

HazeK · Mar 2, 2003

I think that the BIG first name and the BIG RN....

with the tiny last name and the tiny credentialing of your preference

sounds like the best name tags!

On my unit, the patients can't tell the RNs from the janitors from the techs from the clerks...argh!

How about "R.N." in red letters about 10" high on our backs?

:-)

veetach · Mar 3, 2003

wow! what a hot topic. I dont want to get into the BSN vs ADN thing either. I went to a bi-level ADN program (5 semesters) and we got an ADN when we completed. Our program had an RN board pass percentage of 99%. Our local BSN program had a pass percentage of 65%. Either way, we are all RN's. I would like to say though that the last hospital I worked at made sure the BSN nurses had their degree on their name badge. but refused to let us put our degree on ours. Now that is frustrating!!

I have worked in 4 different hospitals in my career, and none of them have ever given more than 25cents per hour increase in pay for a BSN over an ADN. Therefore, if you dont want management, and arent planning on using that bachelors degree for something in your future. why spend the money???

Just my humble opinion.

the hospital I am currently working in does not distinguish on our name badges, they all say....RN.

Aussienurse2 · Mar 3, 2003

Het! I studied my hiney off to get to put EEN after my name! It looks sooo good after all the study and helps me get into other courses that interest me. So basically I CAN and thats all that matters. And when someone disagrees with me I say "I have a piece of paper that says I know more than you!"

mattsmom81 · Mar 3, 2003

Originally posted by Aussienurse2
Het! I studied my hiney off to get to put EEN after my name! So basically I CAN and thats all that matters. And when someone disagrees with me:

I say "I have a piece of paper that says I know more than you!"

Aussienurse2, I suspect you meant this as a joke...but you may be opening up a big ol' can of worms with your last sentence. No comment from me though (see I'm playing nice) :roll

IRISHBREAD · Mar 3, 2003

if you work hard enough to get the extra degrees or certifications and you want them on your id -- go for it -- you worked for it and you should be proud of it. God knows administration isn't going to give you anything for all the work you did to get them!

Fran-RN · Mar 4, 2003

Alll very interesting, but when you are in a hospital bed, any one who comes in with a whitee uniform on is a " nurse". Most of the general population have no idea what nurse is or what they do. Name badges with credentias t least let patients know who is caring for them. We must educate the public in what we do for them. Most people do not have any idea what Nurses do or what their jobs entail.