Quote from ColimaDog
Thanks for this. I have considered reporting her to the Board of Nursing, but was unsure if her actions would qualify as a violation of law since she has never told our employer/boss that she is a nurse - although she's told everyone else (and their dog) - and publicly claims to be a nurse online.
tnbutterfly is right as of 5/9/2012 this is the list. Many states had legislation pending and have since passed such legislation. Your "boss" may only supervise you in matters of the practices/clinics rules and personnel policies and has no jurisdiction over your nursing practice....regardless of the office policies. As the ANA states.......
Restricting use of the title "nurse" to only those individuals who have fulfilled the requirements for licensure as outlined in each state's nurse practice act is a protection for the public against unethical, unscrupulous, and incompetent practitioners. Nurse practice acts describe entry level qualifications such as education, practice standards and code of conduct for continued privilege to practice nursing. Limiting use of the title "nurse" to only those who have satisfied the licensure requirements ensures the protection the public deserves.
AT LEAST 37 other states have made it illegal.
Select from the following states:
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Arkansas 17-87-104. Penalty
(a)(1) It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to:
(D) Use in connection with his or her name any of the following titles, names, or initials, if the user is not properly licensed under this chapter:
(i) Nurse;
(ii) Registered nurse or R.N.;
(iii) Advanced practice nurse or A.P.N., or any of the following:
(a) Advanced registered nurse practitioner, A.R.N.P., or A.N.P.;
(b) Nurse anesthetist, certified nurse anesthetist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or C.R.N.A.;
(c) Nurse midwife, certified nurse midwife, licensed nurse midwife, C.N.M., or L.N.M.; or
(d) Clinical nurse specialist or C.N.S.;
(iv) Registered nurse practitioner, N.P.,or R.N.P.;
(v) Licensed practical nurse, practical nurse, or L.P.N.;
(vi) Licensed psychiatric technician nurse, psychiatric technician nurse, L.P.T.N., or P.T.N.; or
(vii) Any other name, title, or initials that would cause a reasonable person to believe the user is licensed under this chapter;
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Title 32. Professions & Occupations. Chapter 15. Nursing. Article 2. Licensing A.R.S. 32-1636 (2003)
Only a person who holds a valid and current license to practice professional nursing in this state or in a party state pursuant to section 32-1668 may use the title "nurse", "registered nurse, "graduate nurse", or "professional nurse" or the abbreviation "RN".
return to top California
Business & Professions Code. Division 2. Healing Arts. Chapter 1. General Provisions. Article 7.5. Health Care Practitioners Cal Bus & Prof Code 680 (2003)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a healthcare practitioner shall disclose, while working, his or her name and practitioner's license status, as granted by this state, on a name tag in at least 18-point type. A healthcare practitioner in a practice or an office, whose license is prominently displayed, may opt to not wear a name tag. If a healthcare practitioner or licensed clinical social worker is working in a psychiatric setting or in a setting that is not licensed by the state, the employing entity or agency shall have the discretion to make an exception from the name tag requirement for individual safety or therapeutic concerns. In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it shall be unlawful for any person to use the title "nurse" in reference to himself or herself and in any capacity, except for an individual who is a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse, or as otherwise provided in Section 2800. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using his or her title.
return to top Colorado
Colorado Section 21. 12-38-117. Colorado Revised Statutes (2006), is amended by the addition of the following new paragraphs containing relocated provisions, with amendments to read: 12-38-117. Grounds for discipline (1) "Grounds for discipline" as used in this article means any action by a person who:
(w)(I) represents himself or herself to an individual or general public by use of any word or abbreviation to indicate or induce others to believe that he or she is a licensed practical or professional nurse licensed as a practical or professional nurse respectively OR, (II) uses the title "nurse", "registered nurse", "RN", "practical nurse", "trained practical nurse", licensed vocational nurse", "licensed practical nurse", or "LPN" unless the person is licensed by the board.
return to top DelawareSection 1. §1920, Title 24, Delaware Code (2010)
(d) Only registered nurses shall use the title nurse, the abbreviation of "R.N." or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a registered nurse.
"Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the use of title and abbreviation for advanced practice nurses is authorized in accordance with the following:
(1) Only Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists may use that title, the abbreviation 'CRNA' or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
(2) Only Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners may use that title, the abbreviation 'CRNP' or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a Certified Nurse Practitioner.
(3) Only Certified Registered Nurse Midwives may use that title, the abbreviation 'CNM' or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a Certified Nurse Midwife.
(4) Only Clinical Nurse Specialists may use that title, the abbreviation 'CNS' or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a Clinical Nurse Specialist."
Section 2. Amend §1920, Title 24, Delaware Code, by adding to subsection (d), after the phrase "that title,", the phrase "the title 'nurse', ", and by further adding to subsection (g) after the phrase "that title,", the phrase "the title 'nurse',".
Only licensed practical nurses shall use the title nurse, the abbreviation of "L.P.N." or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a licensed practical nurse.
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Map: Laws Protecting the Title "Nurse"
Personally, I would file a complaint with the board. Some BON actually have rules/regulations that make you a mandated reporter of ANY conduct unbecoming a nurse or any infraction to the BON regulations. Let them investigate. If you confront this yourself......you might find her retaliatory and you without a job.
Good Luck.
Nov 18, '12 by Ntheboat2Quote from ColimaDogDO IT!!Yes, I have been thinking of posting a sweet comment such as:
Nov 18, '12 by MoopleRNQuote from ColimaDogI'm confused. Why aren't you "required to be a nurse at your place of employment" if you are? Even if you are working in the capacity of a non-nurse, your license holds you to the standards of a nurse. Why are they letting her be in a supervisory position over licensed nurses if she is not a nurse? What is the title on her name badge? What's yours? This doesn't make sense to me......but she treats nurses terribly. She constantly criticizes us, telling us that we are doing things wrong (when we are not), etc. It's absolutely miserable to be at work under her. We are not required to be nurses at our place of employment, but I still feel that it is unethical and unlawful for her to insinuate that she is a nurse when she clearly is not. I've been a nurse for 23 years now, and have never had this experience before. I'm ready to quit my job over this.
Nov 18, '12 by ColimaDogWe work in occupational health. We provide health screening and health care to companies - both on and off site. Not everything we do requires a nursing license. When a nursing license is required, she obviously does not work at those sites - and thus is not our boss at those times. So part of the time at my job, I work as a nurse - and part of the time I provide medical screening and care that does not require a nursing license. She has a supervisory position over us because they select supervisors based on seniority and, to be honest, on who brown noses the most - and she is the queen of brown nosing. Because our job varies, we do not have titles on our name badges. But I have learned that she is a medical assistant and phlebotomist. The reason I point out her appearance is because her appearance and conduct are unprofessional, thus making her lack of integrity (lying about being a nurse when she is not a nurse) and her horrible attitude (demeaning, critical, and arrogant) stand out even more. When everyone around her is clean cut, professional, and credentialed - not to mention honest about their educational achievements - she stands out like a sore thumb.
Nov 18, '12 by Esme12Quote from ColimaDogtnbutterfly is right as of 5/9/2012 this is the list. Many states had legislation pending and have since passed such legislation. Your "boss" may only supervise you in matters of the practices/clinics rules and personnel policies and has no jurisdiction over your nursing practice....regardless of the office policies. As the ANA states.......Thanks for this. I have considered reporting her to the Board of Nursing, but was unsure if her actions would qualify as a violation of law since she has never told our employer/boss that she is a nurse - although she's told everyone else (and their dog) - and publicly claims to be a nurse online.Restricting use of the title "nurse" to only those individuals who have fulfilled the requirements for licensure as outlined in each state's nurse practice act is a protection for the public against unethical, unscrupulous, and incompetent practitioners. Nurse practice acts describe entry level qualifications such as education, practice standards and code of conduct for continued privilege to practice nursing. Limiting use of the title "nurse" to only those who have satisfied the licensure requirements ensures the protection the public deserves.