Anyone can obtain RN license plate

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Apparently anyone can purchase the RN license plate in Indiana without having to have ANY licensure. Does this fall under the view of impersonation? Does this offend anyone else? I worked hard for my license and hold great pride in it. I have seriously thought about if there is anyway to start a petition to stop this. Any advice or suggestions?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I live in Indiana and I posess an RN plate.

Every year, I submit my license plate application (including nursing license info) to the Indiana agency that governs such things, who then approves my plate.

So no, I'm not offended, but I'm not sure what the issue is....???

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Specializes in ICU, ED, PACU.

Why is this an issue? The plate does not state that the owner is an RN. The plate states "Be a nurse".

Be A Nurse License Plate

You can also get a Black Expo plate if you are white. You can get a Notre Dame plate if you aren't an alumni.

You cannot receive a volunteer firefighters plate unless you are a firefighter.

All plates with a requirement clearly state the requirement. All other plates are fair game. I'm confused as to why it would be a big issue if Joe public wants a plate that says "Be a nurse".

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This is exactly the type of feedback I was hoping for. I to have the RN license plate and with the RN being what catches the eye, most assume the owner is a RN (maybe I am assuming). It doesn't just say Be A Nurse. I was a LPN previous to obtaining my LPN and would have bought the plates then had it only said Be A Nurse. When you do a search it comes up Indiana Nurses' License Plate again implying it is for nurses. Monies go to the Indiana Organization of Nurse Executives (IONE) which in turn contributes to the recruitment of Nurses in Indiana. I am trying to see both sides of it.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
This is exactly the type of feedback I was hoping for. I to have the RN license plate and with the RN being what catches the eye, most assume the owner is a RN (maybe I am assuming). It doesn't just say Be A Nurse. I was a LPN previous to obtaining my LPN and would have bought the plates then had it only said Be A Nurse. When you do a search it comes up Indiana Nurses' License Plate again implying it is for nurses. Monies go to the Indiana Organization of Nurse Executives (IONE) which in turn contributes to the recruitment of Nurses in Indiana. I am trying to see both sides of it.

Not really sure what you're concern is. I would never assume someone driving a car with an RN plate on it is a nurse..could be spouse, child, etc. This isn't like practicing without a license...my vote is for no big deal.

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Specializes in SRNA.

I highly doubt that anything having to do with your vehicle registration & license plates would be classified, under any law, as impersonation.

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Nah, wouldn't bother me much. You have no way of knowing if the one driving is actually an RN or not. Someone could get Einstein on their license plate but I wouldn't necessaily believe that, either. Not sure why someone would want an RN license plate if they weren't one, anyway.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I live in IL and have firefighter plates on my car with "PHRN" (pre-hospital RN) on it. Few folks outside of EMS know what PHRN is. I've been on my volunteer dept for 11 years.

If these are license plates in support of RNs then that's fine that there is no requirement for proof of RN.

However, if these are license plates FOR RNs then license verification is necessary.

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I think it is odd anyone would 'advertise' being an RN on their license plate-I have never known anyone personally who had done this.

otessa

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Specializes in Hospice, Geriatrics, Wounds.

our nursing instructors told us not to use a nursing license plate because that obligates you to stop if you see someone in distress on the side of the road - (accident) apparantly, if you advertise you are a nurse, you are obligated to stop - in our state anyway.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I'm still confused.....why am I required to submit my application to the BON for their approval if a nursing license is not a requirement?

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I'm still confused.....why am I required to submit my application to the BON for their approval if a nursing license is not a requirement?

A license from the BON to practice nursing in your state is a requirement. This discussion is about a license plate from the DMV that says something about being/becoming a nurse.

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