Anyone can obtain RN license plate

roser13, ASN, RN · May 1, 2010

"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"

WOW! Really????!!!! After all these years of nursing, I'm now learning that I must have a license:smokin:

Actually, I'm quite aware of the discussion in this thread. My question lies with the fact that although some posters say that anyone can purchase the RN license plate, my application/renewal form (FOR MY LICENSE PLATE) has to be submitted to my licensing agency for its approval before my plate is issued.

pers · May 1, 2010

My apologies, I misunderstood your question.

Trauma Columnist · May 1, 2010

As to advertising my RN status and being obligated to stop, that's a bunch of hoohaw! The only state (that I'm aware of anyway) where everyone has a legal obligation to stop at an accident is Alaska. If anyone has this in writing, would like to see the citation.

PHRN is an offical license from the IL BON. Don't know what other states have it. Because of the way rural fire depts work, we all have personalized firefighter plates.

And no, I don't stop at any accidents unless they are in my fire district and no one has responded.

caliotter3 · May 1, 2010

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".

I looked at the picture of the plate and the issue would be the implication that the bearer is an RN because of the initials RN before the number. That popped out at me. The plate says to me, and probably most everyone else, "I am an RN. You should be one too".

davebigs · May 1, 2010

Oh boy, the things we discuss, the things that offend us. There are kids dying from preventable causes in South East Asia and other places. God help us...........

**new** · May 2, 2010

If someone is willing to pay for the license plate then they should be allowed to have it.

Let's focus on the important issues.

HM2VikingRN, RN · May 2, 2010

MN requires licensed nurses to stop at the scene of an accident.

604A.01 GOOD SAMARITAN LAW.

Subdivision 1. Duty to assist. A person at the scene of an emergency who knows that another

person is exposed to or has suffered grave physical harm shall, to the extent that the person can

do so without danger or peril to self or others, give reasonable assistance to the exposed person.

Reasonable assistance may include obtaining or attempting to obtain aid from law enforcement or

medical personnel. A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

604A.01, Minnesota Statutes 2006

I don't get why anyone would fail to stop. I called 911 6-7 times this winter for cars in the ditch during blizzards. A month ago I stopped for a car that was partially submerged in the ditch during our spring floods. (I had called 911 but I didn't know if there was a potential drowning so I stopped.)

I didn't stop for the cars in the ditch because A. they were on their wheels and B. It wasn't safe to stop in the conditions.

The submerged car was different. Potential loss of life and imminent danger to the driver.

I would stop anyway because of a moral obligation to help others. If I don't stop for another in need who will help me if I am endangered?

I capsized a kayak last year and if I hadn't been helped by total strangers I might not have survived to write this post tonight.

To come back on topic I don't have a problem with a "Be a Nurse" vehicle plate.

elkpark · May 2, 2010

MN requires licensed nurses to stop at the scene of an accident.
604A.01 GOOD SAMARITAN LAW.
Subdivision 1. Duty to assist. A person at the scene of an emergency who knows that another
person is exposed to or has suffered grave physical harm shall, to the extent that the person can
do so without danger or peril to self or others, give reasonable assistance to the exposed person.
Reasonable assistance may include obtaining or attempting to obtain aid from law enforcement or
medical personnel. A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
604A.01, Minnesota Statutes 2006

Well, I know this is OT, but it keeps coming up on the site. I'm not sure that "at the scene of an emergency" means "happens to be driving by the scene of an emergency."

I am another non-stopper. The day that my state (or anyone else) trys to tell me that I'm obligated to assist in any emergency situation, outside of work and on my own time, whether we're talking about a MVA or someone collapsing in the aisle at the supermarket, is the day I will give my RN license back to the state and move on to something else.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 2, 2010

What if someone wants to put the initials from their first and last name on their plate and their initials happen to be R.N...and they're not a nurse? But they're been a bona-fide R.N. from the moment they're born :)

Seriously, I'm not going to go up to someone and ask to see their nursing license because their car license plate has "RN" on it--to me that's not impersonating a nurse. Now, if they're calling themselves "nurse" at work and they're not actually a nurse, THEN I'll be worried about impersonation.

ok2bme · May 2, 2010

This does not bother me in the least.

I am so sick of these type of posts.."I know an MA who introduces herself as nurse!", "Non-nurses, Pharmacists, are giving flu shots!" "A nursing student told me she is a nurse!"

Who cares?

Not me..but better you than me I suppose.