RN...?? misrepresentation?

Nurses Recovery

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Someone asked me this question the other day, and I didn't know how to answer it..

If your licence is not active or suspended, or void for whatever reason, can you call yourself an RN? Or a nurse?

How would one represent him/herself?

I'm a former nurse? I'm a nurse? or I'm an RN?

And if you call yourself an RN if you don't have an active license, can there be legal reprecussions?

Interesting question....:confused:

What do you guys know about that?

God bless

Ariel

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
We are ALL more than our chosen profession.

Exactly, Jack.

We cannot be defined only as, "nurse".

As you pointed out, we are far greater defined on the whole of the greatest aspects of our life (grandmother/father, mother/father, daughter/son) than that one tiny particle of our chosen profession.

I admire you as well and everything you've done in your life. I'm sure you view your Recovery as your greatest asset, yet it does not define you.

Thank you for being here at allnurses.com!

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

These posts reflect some very learned and respected people. We are not what we do but rather what we are!

I consider myself lucky to be among some of the best and brightest: whether they be nurses, retired nurses, no longer practicing nurses, etc..

Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.
Exactly, Jack.

We cannot be defined only as, "nurse".

As you pointed out, we are far greater defined on the whole of the greatest aspects of our life (grandmother/father, mother/father, daughter/son) than that one tiny particle of our chosen profession.

I admire you as well and everything you've done in your life. I'm sure you view your Recovery as your greatest asset, yet it does not define you.

Thank you for being here at allnurses.com!

WOW! Thank you so much for your kind words. I thoroughly enjoy participating in this forum and am grateful there is a place like this for those who are unfortunate enough to have this lousy disease. Education regarding the science, the pathophysiology, and the breakthroughs being made everyday is the only way we will change the paradigm of this disease. Mental health is one of the last areas of medicine to receive the same respect as the other areas. But with the breakthrough of the various methods of observing the brain as it functions, science is slowly revealing so much about learning, motivation, decision making and how alterations in brain structure and neurotransmitters can result in amazing alterations in thinking and behavior.

I never thought I would feel that my addiction was a good thing. Early in my travels on this road called recovery I knew that this was definitely the worst thing that ever happened to me. I really struggled the first 5 years, relapsing several times. After my last relapse I knew that returning to the practice of anesthesia would kill me. It made the decision to send my license back to the board very easy (the felonies didn't hurt in making that decision either - :rolleyes:). I've been asked by many folks if I have ever thought of trying to get my license back. I can honestly say no. I've found my niche and I wouldn't trade my life now for anything. My relationship with my daughters, father, brother, sister, and the folks I've been through hell and high water with over the past 20 years is worth more than any paycheck could ever bring. I'm happy and proud to say that many of those friends are right here, and I'm honored to know you all.

Thanks to everyone for the Experience, Strength, and Hope you all share here. It's made a difference to this recovering addict.

Jack

Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.
a few people have been kind enough (dripping sarcasm) to point out that i have absolutely no business posting or participating here.:eek:

my dear sharpeimom/kathy-

whoever said you have no business participating here is mean-spirited and insecure in the extreme. not only that, they are wrong! your mind and spirit are what make you a nurse, not your body.

take care, sweetie, and know that the people who said those mean things to you are more internally miserable than you can imagine. why would someone happy and secure within themselves treat someone so cruelly?

:hug: :flwrhrts:

catmom :paw:

Specializes in Medical.
a few people have been kind enough (dripping sarcasm) to point out that i have absolutely no business posting or participating here.:eek:
well that's just rude! i know i'm not alone in enjoying your posts and insights
Specializes in ICU, PICU, School Nursing, Case Mgt.
thank you, nursel56. i had the stroke the day after my 54th birthday. i had an aneurysm rupture when i was 13 months old and my neuro thinks that caused the stroke 53 years later. i kept my weight average, exercised 3x a week, did aerobics and water exercise, walked the dog about 3 miles per day, you name it, but it wasn't enough. i still read journals, come to allnurses, in short, i still think like a nurse. thank you for your kind words! they're appreciated a great deal because in some ways, i've had to build a whole new me. a few people have been kind enough (dripping sarcasm) to point out that i have absolutely no business posting or participating here.:eek: those of you who build me uphelp more than you know.:hug:

kathy,

oh my goodness,

in my wildest dreams, i would never think that you are not an active rn.

your posts are always intelligent, witty and "right on target".

i am an ardent dog lover-i like them more that humans...(a pug owns me) and i always get a big bang out of your sharpie stories...and don't you have a passle of cats, too?

please, please, keep posting....you certainly have more business posting here than many of the "nurse wanna bees" who are not even in pre pre nursing school yet!!!! they all seem to think that they have something worth saying (rolls eyes :uhoh3:)

girl, you are fantastic! you may not be active but you will always be a nurse!

s :yeah:

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