assumptions of title

Nurses General Nursing

Published

HOW MANY NURSES HAVE BEEN MISTAKEN FOR A LESSER TITLE BECAUSE OF YOUR ETHNICITY? NOT ONLY DOES IT ATTEMPT TO TAKE AWAY FROM WHO YOU ARE AT TIMES IT CAN BE DOWN RIGHT IRRITATING! I JUST WANDERED.

Heres a funny story that happened last month. We had a preeclamptic patient who was 26wks and on the unit on strict bedrest for about 6 weeks.

After about 2 weeks the docs would usually only talk to her about once a week and would usually just chat with the nurses to see how she was doing.

I took care of her for about 2 weeks and would talk to her about her labs, plan of care, why we want her to do this and what everything means ect. One day one of the docs came in and talked with her and asked her if she had any questions. she said no DR. Kennedy (me, her nurse) has been taking care of me the past week or so and I have been very pleased. I got a good laugh. Most of this being the providers lack of face to face communication.

But try to be very knowledgable, find out their problems and concerns and fix them. It goes a long way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by mopsi

This was one of the forseen problems when we gave up our nurse caps and white....It was a uniform..like cops,firemen,ect. It identified you immediately. By melding everyone together in a mishmash of scrubs you can't pick out the "GOOD GUYS" by their white hats anymore.....It was also a way for employers to give the visual impression that qualified staff was all over working like little bees.*

Back when we all dressed THAT way, we still had the same confussion with titles and such as we do now. I'm from those dark ages with hats, altho I never had one :} I don't have enough hair! :} to hold it on. I was the ONLY guy in a graduating class of 70.

{I'm from VN and I graduated in USA with RN/BSN. Sometimes my patients and their family ask me "are you a LPN or CNA?", }

BaoVn....quote.....LPN's are nurses....are you insulted by this???

Education..like getting your BSN is a gift..sounds like you've got a little predudice running in your veins..or didn't they cover LPN scope of practice in school?

Misuse and / or odd use of words is an interesting topic. It appears to me as if Bao, the young [29 y/o] lady from VN is chalenged by using English instead of being prejudiced, [i don't know this of course, just giving benifit of the doubt]

All y'all should have heard some of my syntax [and spelling] errors when I was in the several contries. It must have been a hoot to them!!!!!

I have never been one to worry much about titles [i've been mixed up with everyone from the MD to maintainance and houskeeping] and having someone ask me to tell THE nurse something when I had been the one providing the care all shift. I just gently pointed out that I am their nurse and go from that point.

And I do agree with you that LPNs and all the flavors of RN are nurses too - team approch y'know

just my 0.02 worth:p

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CV-ICU.

My badge clip is bright gold block letters 1/2 inch high that say "RN". I also have a smaller RN pin that is stuck through my badge (I seem to have a collection of RN pins-- I have them in blue and gold, red, silver, and several colorful cartoon styled badge clips that all have RN enblazoned on them). I strongly suggest that you get something that has your title in big bold (and shiney even!) letters so that patients can read your title easier.:D

I also feel that dressing and presenting ones' self as a professional (as KatWright pointed out) makes a difference in how others perceive you.

Mercnurse, as far as BaoVn having difficulty with English, I didn't notice it; but I've been hanging out on this BB long enough to know that we all take lots of funny writing shortcuts-- especially when we're tired! ;) :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hey just read interesting chat about "black nurses" check it and its 285+ posts on aol chat line!(listed in nursing chat)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

Hi Ayanna, thanks for letting me know about that. It was very interesting although many of the attitudes were not surprising. That Will is something else, isn't he?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.
Originally posted by Jenny P

My badge clip is bright gold block letters 1/2 inch high that say "RN". I also have a smaller RN pin that is stuck through my badge (I seem to have a collection of RN pins-- I have them in blue and gold, red, silver, and several colorful cartoon styled badge clips that all have RN enblazoned on them). I strongly suggest that you get something that has your title in big bold (and shiney even!) letters so that patients can read your title easier.:D

I also feel that dressing and presenting ones' self as a professional (as KatWright pointed out) makes a difference in how others perceive you.

Mercnurse, as far as BaoVn having difficulty with English, I didn't notice it; but I've been hanging out on this BB long enough to know that we all take lots of funny writing shortcuts-- especially when we're tired! ;) :D

Hi Jenny, I assume you meant well and did not mean to come off as patronizing. However after 10 years in this profession, I don't necessarily need any tips on how to present myself. I have RN, BSN in huge capitals on my name badges next to my pictures and I am very professional, I can't afford to act any other way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

KATRIGHT

YOU ARE RIGHT NOT TOO LONG AGO I WAS SITTING IN THE SECRETARY'S CHAIR AND SHE DID ASSUME I WAS THE CLERK SO I WASN'T OFFENDED IT WAS A SIMPLE MISTAKE. YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE FROM PEOPLE WHO JUST ASSUME AND THE BIGGOTS WHO SAY THINGS.

ANOTHER EXPERIENCE I WAS A UNIT SECRETARY THEN. A NURSE WAS WASHING HER HANDS IN THE SINK AND THIS OTHER NURSE WAS YELLING TO HER THAT A ROOM NEEDED TO BE CLEAN. I COULD SEE THE DISGUST ON THAT NURSES FACE. I HAD TO GIVE HER PROPS SHE WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND TOLD THE IGNORANT NURSE THAT SHE WAS A RN. I SWORE THAT WHEN I BECOME LICENSED I WOULD ALWAYS ASK SOMEONE THEIR TITLE BEFORE ANYTHING.

I JUST GET SICK OF PEOPLE LABLING FOLKS BECAUSE THEIR MELANIN STANDS OUT.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Was working last night, entered a patient's room and the daughter asked, "are you my father's aide?" I replied, no, I am his nurse!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

AYANNA1172

I AM NOT SUPRISED. I KNOW PATIENTS AND THEIR LOVED ONES DO THAT TOO. I DON'T CARE HOW MANY BADGES THEY SEE YOUR COLOR ALREADY HAD IT IN THEIR MIND OF ASSUMING YOUR TITLE. I WOULD BE MORE UNDERSTANDING IF SOMEONE JUST ASK ME WHAT IS YOUR TITLE THAT LEAVES ME THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL THEM THAT.

I WENT TO A HOSPITAL INQUIRING ABOUT A JOB. I TOLD THE RECEPTIONIST ABOUT A NURSING POSITION THE FIRST THING THAT CAME OUT OF HER RAGGEDY MOUTH OH! OUR CNA POSITIONS I REPLIED I GUESS IF THEY ARE GIVING THESE KIND OF LICENSES. SHUT HER DOWN AGAIN HER BIG FOOT IN HER MOUTH. I NOTICE SOME OF THE RESPONSES HERE ARE NOT SEEING THE ISSUE. NOONE WANTS TO BE CALLED A RACIST IT IS SO "UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT" YET THEY DISH OUT THE MESS AS WELL. EVEN IN NURSING SCHOOL THE 5 OF US WERENT EXPECTED TO DO WELL IN FACT NOT EVEN FINISH! SO FORGIVE ME IF I DON'T SOUND LIKE BEING UNITED WE STAND IN THIS COUNTRY. :rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a resident assistant. I help the elderly in a personal care facility.

After I had my position about 3 months, the shift LPN and I were chatting and I stated that I was seriously thinking about going on to school. (Now mind you, I am older than dirt and this is a really big decision for me). She stated she too had thought about getting her RN degree. LOL

She saw the look on my face and said, you ARE only a LPN right.

I told her the only initials I had back of my name was MOM and NANA.....

I then received the biggest compliment from her. She stated that she had watched me assist our residents and with the compassion I showed, she had just assumed I had been in nursing along time. (I only joined the assistant position 3 yr ago)

Guess to make a long story short, Want to say THANK YOU to all Nurses on this site and who do not judge by a pin. Human kindness to ones pt, resident, etc, and with the knowlege of title, makes you one special group........

P.S. My bestest friend is a RN. Have told her over the past 30+ years we have been friends how much I admire her, and I could never be a nurse.... Guess I should never say never.............

Love to all, Nana

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Rehabilitation.

Happens here too (actually thought it was a southern thing!). Work with a black guy, built like a cement block, shaved head, families and patients love him. Just last week, he answered the call light for another nurse. As he entered the room, someone in their best ignorant southern accent said, "Weeeeeeeeeeellllll, gud, they sent the orderly! Just who we need, he done messed hemself up!" He paused, turned and looked toward the door..paused again..walked to the door, looked out the door..paused..looked back in and said, "Hang on, let me go find that orderly you just saw. I'll send him in here to help you!". He sent the assigned nurse back in there; she informed the family that he was a RN, NOT an orderly.

Funny how white guys are mistaken for doctors and black guys for orderlies and housekeeping. It's pure ignorance. I find even black families and visitors assume he's an orderly, not a nurse. Sad when even your own race discriminates without knowing, eh?

TESHIEE!!! IS YOUR CAPS LOCK BUTTON STUCK?? WHY DO YOU SCREAM IN EVERY POST?? IT'S VERY HARD TO KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED TO READ YOUR WONDERFUL POSTS!!! CAN WE HAVE A LITTLE lower case, please? ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good statement nurse4kids! I went to school with a guy who patients always assumed he was the doctor! It was hilarious! IF only they knew...we got a good kick out of it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment