BSN RN & Certifications not allowed on my badge: I am outraged!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med Surg, Step Down, Telemetry, Geriatri.

After much hard work, dedication, and sacrifice I obtained my BSN RN in 2004. Today I walked out of an orientation at a major Raleigh, NC hospital because I was told why I asked why RN's could not proudly display their education and credentials "WE do not recognize titles here. There are no titles" I was outraged and hurt. In educating the orientation administrative person (she was not a nurse) I explained that having to meet strict criteria for certification and education levels are not a title! She looked annoyed. SO I left.

Education and credentials are not easily obtained. They are representations of a RN's commitment to his/her craft. They are indications of the sacrifice and hard work she/ he has put in to go the extra mile. I am in no way negating an ADN. ON the contrary, ADN's make just as much of a sacrifice (However...in all honesty.... you will never hear an ADN voicing concern about not being able to display her ADN...sorry if I have offended any ADN's but the truth is the truth!).

When I handed HR my resignation letter and explained why I am resigning after only 2 days of orientation she looked annoyed and asked : "What does it matter. All of you are RN's and you all do the same thing" I just looked at her and shook my head.

I cannot understand an organization that BANS your right to display your hard work. What right does that organization have?

Needless to say I left another hospital for a minor pay increase at this facility. I regret that decision. I told HR I would rather tolerate a few cents less and have the HARD EARNED RIGHT TO DIAPLY MY CREDNTIALS than to work for an organization who tells me I CAN NOT DISPLAY MY CREDENTIALS>

Shame on you Wake Med! You will never achieve magnet status if you continue to disregard the hard work of your RN's!

Sandra BSN RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU.

That's ridiculous. At my facility, we have our name tags which either say "RN" or "RN, BSN" or "RN, BSN, CCRN" or whatever certs you may have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The only credential that has any import on the job is RN and you still have to do your job. You are going to have a hard time in the workforce if you don't readjust your attitude to reflect concern with what is really important in the grand scheme of things.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Step Down, Telemetry, Geriatri.

Callioter I am so sorry that you feel this way. Are you a BSN? Probably not. The grand scheme of things is that many of us have sacrificed so much to obtain our education. Do you understand what it takes to be credentialed? I am working on my credentials now and included are a certain number of hours in the particular field as well as specific criteria. What right does anyone have to not allow me to display it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The only credential that has any import on the job is RN and you still have to do your job. You are going to have a hard time in the workforce if you don't readjust your attitude to reflect concern with what is really important in the grand scheme of things.

Ultimately, that is a cold hard fact and a hard pill to swallow in many places. Personally, I do not care what you put on your badge. To the OP, I have absolutely no problem letting people know that I am an AD graduate. As you stated, " the truth is the truth."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I've only worked at places that allow one educational or certification identifier. I get around that by wearing pins that show the others!

Seriously, in this day and age where jobs can be hard to get, try not to get upset by this issue. There are bigger fish to fry.

:omy:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

while i appreciate your evident pride in obtaining your bsn, this facility is clearly stating that they are hiring rn's, regardless of degree.

therefore, in their eyes, your bsn is irrelevant.

personally i think it's a bit much to walk off a job r/t inability to display your achievements.

it's unfortunate you require this recognition in order to celebrate your accomplishments.

maybe finding a job that mandates the bsn as the minimum, may make you feel better?

best of everything to you.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am one ADN who wishes it said ADN on her badge. That way when someone has to float to Step-down, take over charge or assist in an emergent procedure on the floor I could point out that the BSNs are all more qualified to fill the void.

But, we are all treated the same.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Step Down, Telemetry, Geriatri.

Calliotter...in additon as far as having a "hard time in the workforce" It is that attitude that continues to keep RNs from turuy being recognized for the hard work that we do. As RNs we do not have to "punch anyone's clock" There are soooooooooo many opportunites out here but I am assumiong you are probaly an older RN stuck in the old archaic way of doing things. I feel sorry for you! As RNs we have so much power and we easily give our power away to a paycheck for a job we may not like. Sorry...but I was taught in my BSN program to "Stand up for what you believe in" We were required to write a Socialization paper....We were required to do a research paper...including statistics etc. In other words...our bar was raised pretty high....now a hospital comes along and tells me that it means nothing.

I DETERMINE MY DESTINY! I HAVE A GREAT WORK HISTORY!

Someone once said "If you don't stand up for something you will fall for anything"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I've only worked at places that allow one educational or certification identifier. I get around that by wearing pins that show the others!

Seriously, in this day and age where jobs can be hard to get, try not to get upset by this issue. There are bigger fish to fry.

:omy:

This is an unfortunate truth. In fact, the new badge that I received from a flight company I occasionally work at had all certifications removed with the exception of "Flight Nurse." Do not get me wrong, I have no problem with credentials after your name. Smoke em if ya got em IMHO. However, I am not sure that I would make the letters after may name a deal breaker when it comes to employment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Flight.

To each their own.

I'm with caliotter.

Our hospital forgot to put BSN on my ID over a year ago. I never bothered to change it. The patients don't notice or care, I'm quite sure. My colleagues don't treat me any differently. They judge me by my performance. If it were otherwise I wouldn't want to work with them. (Mind you, when I was a young soldier we didn't wear ranks or identifiers on missions.) When working, it doesn't matter. Those who need to know, will do so quickly. Mind you, I'm married to an MD who has successfully worked three specialties (that takes a lot more than changing specialties in nursing!) and rarely uses her title. I don't think her degrees appear anywhere on her IDs. People find out when they need to.

I hope this blows over for you. I'd hate to see you lose out on a good opportunity for this. Of course, it sounds like you may already have done so by walking out. That spoke volumes to your colleagues about what is important to you and what they can expect of you.

mordechai

BSc., BSN, NREMT-P, FP-C, RN...did I forget anything?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

An individual with a BSN who truly had some wisdom wouldn't find it necessary to walk off the job, thus putting all BSNs in a bad light, nor would they find it necessary to make personal jabs at strangers on a message board. I can just see that job interview when asked why one left the job after two days!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment