Baby nurses?!?!?!?

[LandD_RN_chica]

Has anyone heard of this? I just saw it on 20/20 and it's basically a live in nanny that is CPR certified. I just googled it thinking, hey that's a sweet job! But they are not actual nurses. They are not medical professionals at all. Just a babysitter with a CPR certification. It kind of bothered me that they call them nurses. I thought it was an actual nurse. There are many websites dedicated to it. What are your thoughts on this? Also found this article.

http://www.nysun.com/parenting/phenomenon-of-baby-nurses/72688/

[BergenMom]

Years ago and according to the dictionary, the term Nurse was used generally to describe a caretaker, however to avoid confusion with modern moms, they have now adopted the term 'newborn care nanny' or 'newborn care specialist' to describe a baby nurse without a nursing license. According to one nanny agency based in NY & NJ, they do employ LPN's and RN's as well as Nannies and Newborn Specialists so therefore you can be selective. RN's are going to be much more expensive so unless there is some underlying health issue, I would go with a regular newborn experienced nanny for baby care!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Years ago and according to the dictionary, the term Nurse was used generally to describe a caretaker, however to avoid confusion with modern moms, they have now adopted the term 'newborn care nanny' or 'newborn care specialist' to describe a baby nurse without a nursing license. According to one nanny agency based in NY & NJ, they do employ LPN's and RN's as well as Nannies and Newborn Specialists so therefore you can be selective. RN's are going to be much more expensive so unless there is some underlying health issue, I would go with a regular newborn experienced nanny for baby care!

They had to create another title as in many states calling oneself a nurse, unless you are one, is against the law....and in some states a criminal act.

Background

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 39 states are known to have language in their Nurse Practice Act; either explicit in restricting use of the title "nurse" to only those who are licensed or implicit language restricting use of any words implying the individual is a licensed nurse.....

AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, KS, KY, MD, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NV, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY

There may be more states as this information is from 9/25/13

[h=3]Title "Nurse" Protection - American Nurses Association [/h]

[h=3]Title "Nurse" Protection: Summary of Language by State[/h]

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Years ago and according to the dictionary, the term Nurse was used generally to describe a caretaker, however to avoid confusion with modern moms, they have now adopted the term 'newborn care nanny' or 'newborn care specialist' to describe a baby nurse without a nursing license. According to one nanny agency based in NY & NJ, they do employ LPN's and RN's as well as Nannies and Newborn Specialists so therefore you can be selective. RN's are going to be much more expensive so unless there is some underlying health issue, I would go with a regular newborn experienced nanny for baby care!

These agencies if they represent in states the term baby nurse it might be illegal......Baby Nurses are NOT nurses....

Baby Nurse

Many families and nanny agencies use the term baby nurse to refer to a newborn specialized nanny. So don't assume that your baby nurse holds a nursing license. If you are looking for an RN or LPN, you may need to request that. In most cases, with a well and healthy newborn, you won't need the help of a medically trained nurse. If you do prefer to have an actual nurse care for your newborn(s), expect to pay more for the service. Some Baby Nurses will specialize in multiples, lactation, sleep training and more. A BN will help ease the transition of having a new baby in the home and will give needed guidance and support to new parents. Shifts are usually 12 or 24 hours but vary considerably. Baby Nurse rates will also vary based on the area in which you live but generally range from $18-35 per hour, daily rates will range from $200-$400 per day. If a baby nurse is independent, she may have insurance.

That is illegal in some states for someone who is not a nurse may not call themselves one. For example....

Arizona

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"

[LandD_RN_chica]

Well I found a job that I love and somehow I believe it started right here on this thread. I found a program called nurse family partnership and I LOVE my job! I work with moms and babies all day long. No nights. No weekends. No call. No holidays. Took me awhile to find my niche but this forum is the place that pointed me in the right direction. :)

[monkeybug]

Well I found a job that I love and somehow I believe it started right here on this thread. I found a program called nurse family partnership and I LOVE my job! I work with moms and babies all day long. No nights. No weekends. No call. No holidays. Took me awhile to find my niche but this forum is the place that pointed me in the right direction. :)

I sent you a PM! Congrats on the job!!

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

I don't think the title nurse should be protected as that term predates the licensed nurses of today by many centuries. HOWEVER, I do think the titles RN and LPN should be protected as they require a license to practice.

[schnookimz]

I don't think the title nurse should be protected as that term predates the licensed nurses of today by many centuries. HOWEVER I do think the titles RN and LPN should be protected as they require a license to practice.[/quote']

So often when I worked at a doctors office, I would hear the medical assistants saying "hi I am dr. _____'s nurse." I felt every single time like they were lying to the patient. Why don't they just say they're the medical assistant? I think it falsely makes the patient believe that the employee has much more education than they actually do.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

So often when I worked at a doctors office, I would hear the medical assistants saying "hi I am dr. _____'s nurse." I felt every single time like they were lying to the patient. Why don't they just say they're the medical assistant? I think it falsely makes the patient believe that the employee has much more education than they actually do.

I don't get that either. I'm an aide and I always identify myself as a nurse's aide. But the patients still call me nurse!

[elkpark]

I don't think the title nurse should be protected as that term predates the licensed nurses of today by many centuries. HOWEVER, I do think the titles RN and LPN should be protected as they require a license to practice.

However many centuries the word "nurse" has been in the English language, meanings and expectations do change over time. I think it's perfectly reasonable that most people nowadays, when they hear someone say, "I'm a nurse," believe/expect that the person has a nursing license, and that it is being intentionally deceptive to refer to oneself (or allow others to refer to you) as a "nurse" without the education and license to back it up. And most state BONs agree ...