But she's not a nurse!

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I just started a new position running a clinic. The clinic is staffed by myself and one CNA. I am so happy to be working with this CNA as she has over 15 years experience working in this clinic and is a wealth of knowledge and help to me. I adore her. She is very nice and cooperative. I only have one problem with the entire situation. Everyone who comes to the clinic calls her, Nurse Judy. All of the employee handouts and printed information and brochures have her listed as Nurse Judy. They have me listed as Nurse Diane. As if we were one in the same. I am a RN and of course her supervisor. She is 20 years my senior and I really do have alot of respect for her. I just can't live with her using the Nurse designation. I know it is against the law and I'm thinking that is the angle I will try and to set the record strait. Other people who work in the company would never let thier assistants be called thier own professional titles. All of the other staff are non medical. They have worked with Judy for years, they trust her and love her. Any ideas on how to handle this?

Most states mandate that a badge or nametag is worn with the full name and position or title. Maybe you can suggest wearing the badges due to state regulations.

I broke my neck going to nursing school!!! Work, family, financial problems, death of family, school 80 miles away every night for 2 years!! I got very ill, too. So I understand the "she didn't earn the title" theory but after 20 yrs of working in the same clinic tending to patients, dr.s, families, etc... maybe she earned it in another way - The School of Hard Knocks!

If Nurse Judy isn't overstepping her CNA duties and she's not breaking the law by administering meds, assessing, etc... Then why not let the patients call her what they want. It's been my experience that even the elderly will ask "Is she an RN or an LPN? Is he a real Dr. or one of those assistants?" They know!

But your state laws or state nursing board will have the answers - find out what a CNA is allowed to do in the clinic. I've noticed many of the Old Timer CNA's overstep their boundaries into nursing territory because that was the "old way" We have had 2 CNA's suspended recently because they just couldn't stop those darn "Manual Extractions" which used to be their job! After all YOU ARE the RN supervisor - it is YOUR LICENSE on the line if this false advertising leads to a lawsuit - which is bound to happen if the wrong person gets wind of the "Nurse Imposter" situation. I think calling her Nurse Judy is OK - but printing it on the brochures should have quotations around the name and then CNA next to it - the brochure can still boost her up as the dedicated great worker she is!

Good Luck - I agree with the person who said - Examine your motives!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Check out previous post on same subject:

Is this legal?

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11788

Great advice already given. Tread lightly. Tell Judy when new Brochures arrive to avoid surprise. How about graphic sign for both of you...PM me if interested---love to create stuff like that!

Adding additional thoughts after rereading your last post:

To "Nurse" is to show you care about someone. Judy has been doing this for 15 years, a constant in these people's lives and the person who gets things done... as you say the doctor rarely. She probably has survived MANY revolving staff in this time.

Yes, I understand the legalities involved and people are more sue happy these days. However, I'm concerned about you just changing the brochures behind this persons back.

Do you REALLY know her educational background? Who does she report to? Are you her direct supervisor? What policies and procedures are in place re delegation of tasks and reporting of patient concerns/ problems to clinic director? In a court of law, it is NOT following P+P along with not practicing within states nursing pracice act that has nurses hung out to dry when incidents occurs. Do you even have up-to-date P + P in place?

Since you are new, this is the time to review the above with Judy first in private then all staff as concerns about legal responsibility paramount to protect ALL parties. Some states have nurse practice acts that protect the term nurse while others focus solely on terms Registered Nursed and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse.

I just started a new position running a clinic. The clinic is staffed by myself and one CNA. I am so happy to be working with this CNA as she has over 15 years experience working in this clinic and is a wealth of knowledge and help to me. I adore her. She is very nice and cooperative. I only have one problem with the entire situation. Everyone who comes to the clinic calls her, Nurse Judy. All of the employee handouts and printed information and brochures have her listed as Nurse Judy. They have me listed as Nurse Diane. As if we were one in the same. I am a RN and of course her supervisor. She is 20 years my senior and I really do have alot of respect for her. I just can't live with her using the Nurse designation.....

Today, I changed all the handouts. They now say either Diane _______R.N. or I removed the names altogether and left a blank for either one of us to sign. It was easy to do since I had to make changes anyway to add my name to the literature. There is only one handbook that I can't change till next year...and I plan on just using our names and title without the Nurse word being used. Since I am in charge of everything that has to do with the clinic, I didn't need to go through any channels to make the change. I didn't mention it to Judy, I just did it. I figure, if she asks I'll tell her why I made the change. From a legal standpoint, I think she would agree as she is a real CYA type of person and wouldn't want to place herself at risk. I'm basically just CYA for both of us, b/c if I referred to her as Nurse Judy too and printed the materials that way, wouldn't I too be falsifying our own clinics credentials and also be held responsible for that false pretense??

I really do like Judy and I wouldn't want to see anything happen to either of us.

Is this really a good way to continue a smooth working relationship or the way to make an enemy? YOU are assuming FOR Judy that SHE won't be upset. How many months have you been there AND do YOU envison yourself there for FIFTEEN years??

Someone had to approve placing "Nurse Judy" in the brochures. Do you really think that changing the brochures WITHOUT DISCUSSING with Judy why you did so is being professional and showing courtesy to your colleagues?? Especially since it appears to be just the two of you administering nursing care. I would have a problem with trust issues with am RN who suddenly CHANGED things without explaining WHY changing prior practices...especially something as important as one's title.

Your 20 years younger that this person....don't know your age or years of nursing experience or management ability but I sense that you can be setting yourself up for a rocky road ahead. Please have the discussion with Judy PRONTO.

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Good point - it probably is used as a term of endearment. It may just perturb those involved more, than if you explained it to the patients They would probably wonder what all the fuss was about. They would say "she looks after me doesn't she?" To them well, ......that's nursing.:rolleyes:

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The situation does not sound that serious. I would just a name tag with the RN designation and move on.

Mito

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

Legalities aside & in the "BIG" picture & on your dying day... What the HELL does it really matter?!

Just HOW important is it REALLY? My thoughts are with poor "Nurse Judy", given all the positive things you said about her, I'm sure she would be deeply hurt to read some of these posts.

Remember... we're all HUMANS first!! Who is it that has as their quote; " People might not remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel"!! Obviously "Nurse Judy" has made a lot of people "feel" pretty good over those many many years of excellent service. As someone else said; "examine your motives".

Cheers,

Grace. ( Nurse, mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend & many other "Titles"!)

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I think her motives are all good personally, and she is very wise to be concerned about her liability in this clinic...

This CNA has become comfortable with many nursing duties from what I'm reading here, and made things work for many years...to her credit. My Mom was a CNA who was grandfathered in as a LPN back in the 1950's, maybe this CNA does feel she is a nurse in practice...I can understand her feelings...however she is NOT a nurse...

Now that an RN is there with the NA,...the RN becomes responsible and liable for what the CNA may do....things have now changed big time in that clinic...if it was me, I'd want to know how liable I am, and how to minimize it too.

The US is a very sue happy place today. My state of Texas has the highest rate of lawsuits against RN's in the country, according to a RNJD I know....and RN's are being sued and prosecuted more frequently all over the US......we would be foolish to not consider that fact, IMHO. :o

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She's still not a nurse, and she shouldn't call herself one.

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Sounds like a nice place to work, everyone gets along and Judy is well known to all old time patients. Whatever they call Judy probably doesn't hurt at all, as long as the brochure is correct. And I think you did the right thing by changing that. Pointing it out beforehand might put her on the defense and that is not necessary. She should have no complaint as I am sure you have mentioned to her how valued she is. Facts are facts. I'd bet the patients already know her status and will side with Judy should push come to shove. She has known them and befriended them and they will defend her no doubt. Little harm in the small practice you run.

She should have corrected them long ago when first referred to as Nurse, maybe she did. If she is offended at all encourage her to return to school. Let her know that she deserves it,then help her getting started.

I was just wondering how the doc would feel if you allowed the patients to call you Doctor Diane, since you do handle losts of medical issues. somehow I don't think he would be so 'understanding'.

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I think it just trivializes what nurses actually do. Sadly, the nursing profession is still not often taken seriously. My grandfather thinks that nurses just empty bedpans and give shots. Like I am sure a pharmacy assistant calling themselves a pharmacist would be totally unacceptable but if a nursing assistant wants to call herself a nurse, its no big deal. No one is saying that "Nurse" Judy should be burned at the stake, humilated or disembowled. Just corrected and the brochures changed. It can be done in a profesional manner.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Ok welp, just call me "Dr. Deb", cause I have delivered my fair share of babies. Why not? Now, what do I want next? Just fork over that delivery fee they get!!!! after that, you can call me any-freaking-thing-you want to......I won't care.:p

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Since the 911 Attacks I see things a little diffrent. As long as Nurse Judy is doing things right leave it alone. Take a little advice from all of these post and enjoy YOUR life while you can.

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So because of 911, we should be able to identify ourselves as nurses, even when we are not? Alrighty then. Not for nothing, I got a front row seat to the horror of 911. Hey, I live 5 minutes from NYC and my boyfriend was in Tower 1 when the first plane hit and I thank God he got out, but I still don't think she should adopt a title that others worked so hard for when she has not earned it. 911 has nothing to do with it. It's just not cool.

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