maybe its just me, but i get very bothered when someone says "i'm a nurse," and their not, their a cna, or nurse aid, or have no schooling at all and just worked their way up in a clinic. i work at a local emergency clinic 30 hours a week to gain experience in my field, and i just got accepted in ns, and i'v worked darn hard to get here! and i find it bothersome when one of the girls at work say "i'm the nurse" or something along those lines...i feel that when i graduate and pass my nclex that, only then, will i be able to say "i'm a nurse." the other day my doctor said "jamie, will you get a nurse?" i said "im sorry doc, i dont think we have any of those working here." he actually laughed and said "you know what i mean"......but is this just me?????
is there anyway this fraud can be stopped? i did complain once to the BON about a MA calling herself a nurse and they told me there was nothing they could do . they said MA's are not under their power.. or whatever.. they just said .. there was nothing they could do... it was a useless letter to them.. it's very frustrating i know.. i get pt's who are CNA's and they tell me they are nurses... until i ask them RN or LPN? seems like a hopeless battle.. any suggestions?
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I remember one of the RNs I work with began to ask one of the patient care associates some very pointed questions, embarassing the pants off of her. Our PCAs work closely with the providers by doing vitals and making their appointments (each provider has their own PCA). The physician stated that a client needed a STAT dose of Regular Insulin and tells the PCA to tell a nurse, which she does. The RN was in the process of sending a client to the ER for chest pains, so, understandably, she didn't rush just yet. The PCA told her that if she didn't tend to this STAT situation, she was going to page the nursing administrator. Nurse says to her; " What is the difference between hypo and hyperglycemia? How quick should I act if the sugar is high...meaning what is the immediate danger to the patient? Oh, and while we're at it, what level does the glucose have to be in order to ask for the basic metabolic panel is to be drawn? And, should the basic panel be drawn BEFORE or AFTER the insulin is administered?" PCA= no answer. Nurse then says "Well, when you come back to me with the answers, then, I will hand you the phone myself to call the nursing administrator. Have a nice day". Thought it was funny, myself... Maybe they need to be challenged a bit more to see the difference, since the BON's hands are tied.
Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
I remember one of the RNs I work with began to ask one of the patient care associates some very pointed questions, embarassing the pants off of her. Our PCAs work closely with the providers by doing vitals and making their appointments (each provider has their own PCA). The physician stated that a client needed a STAT dose of Regular Insulin and tells the PCA to tell a nurse, which she does. The RN was in the process of sending a client to the ER for chest pains, so, understandably, she didn't rush just yet. The PCA told her that if she didn't tend to this STAT situation, she was going to page the nursing administrator. Nurse says to her; " What is the difference between hypo and hyperglycemia? How quick should I act if the sugar is high...meaning what is the immediate danger to the patient? Oh, and while we're at it, what level does the glucose have to be in order to ask for the basic metabolic panel is to be drawn? And, should the basic panel be drawn BEFORE or AFTER the insulin is administered?" PCA= no answer. Nurse then says "Well, when you come back to me with the answers, then, I will hand you the phone myself to call the nursing administrator. Have a nice day". Thought it was funny, myself... Maybe they need to be challenged a bit more to see the difference, since the BON's hands are tied.
I am an insulin dependent diabetic. A person is considered hypoglycemic when their blood sugar falls below 60. The lower it drops, the more urgent the situation. The patient needs to be given something to rise their blood sugar. Hyperglycemia is consider anything above 200. That is when they need several units of regular insulin. Anything above 400 is considered life threatening. A panel should be drawn immediately and fifteen to twenty minutes after a hypo. Hyper it requires more time to lower the blood sugar level, so one hour after administration of the insulin is appropriate time.
I realize you posted this as some what of a joke. But neither the nurse or the PCA acted appropriately.
I remember one of the RNs I work with began to ask one of the patient care associates some very pointed questions, embarassing the pants off of her. Our PCAs work closely with the providers by doing vitals and making their appointments (each provider has their own PCA). The physician stated that a client needed a STAT dose of Regular Insulin and tells the PCA to tell a nurse, which she does. The RN was in the process of sending a client to the ER for chest pains, so, understandably, she didn't rush just yet. The PCA told her that if she didn't tend to this STAT situation, she was going to page the nursing administrator. Nurse says to her; " What is the difference between hypo and hyperglycemia? How quick should I act if the sugar is high...meaning what is the immediate danger to the patient? Oh, and while we're at it, what level does the glucose have to be in order to ask for the basic metabolic panel is to be drawn? And, should the basic panel be drawn BEFORE or AFTER the insulin is administered?" PCA= no answer. Nurse then says "Well, when you come back to me with the answers, then, I will hand you the phone myself to call the nursing administrator. Have a nice day". Thought it was funny, myself... Maybe they need to be challenged a bit more to see the difference, since the BON's hands are tied.
I am an insulin dependent diabetic. A person is considered hypoglycemic when their blood sugar falls below 60. The lower it drops, the more urgent the situation. The patient needs to be given something to rise their blood sugar. Hyperglycemia is consider anything above 200. That is when they need several units of regular insulin. Anything above 400 is considered life threatening. A panel should be drawn immediately and fifteen to twenty minutes after a hypo. Hyper it requires more time to lower the blood sugar level, so one hour after administration of the insulin is appropriate time.
I realize you posted this as some what of a joke. But neither the nurse or the PCA acted appropriately.
Woody
Oh I think the nurse acted very appropriately. She called the CNA's bluff. And she did it with skill and style.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I am an insulin dependent diabetic. A person is considered hypoglycemic when their blood sugar falls below 60. The lower it drops, the more urgent the situation. The patient needs to be given something to rise their blood sugar. Hyperglycemia is consider anything above 200. That is when they need several units of regular insulin. Anything above 400 is considered life threatening. A panel should be drawn immediately and fifteen to twenty minutes after a hypo. Hyper it requires more time to lower the blood sugar level, so one hour after administration of the insulin is appropriate time.
I realize you posted this as some what of a joke. But neither the nurse or the PCA acted appropriately.
Woody
I posted what happened, and while it was tongue in cheek, basically, this nurse put the person in their place by asking her if she knew which situation required an immediate reaction from her. What the nurse was doing was stating to the PCA that she knew how to prioritize and to give the insulin once the other patient she was tending to was taken care of. I fail to see at this moment how the nurse acted inappropriately at the moment, because the protocol you mentioned is basically what we do. Please explain...
We are the only profession, that I am aware of, that has three entry levels, for the same skill set. We tend to make light of others calling themselves nurses, when they are not.
Woody:balloons:
Good point... resolution to this problem... Degree as entry to practice for an RN.
Hey, can't tell you how to do things in the US, but I am secure in a well paying career, and not likely to be replaced with helpers anytime soon.
The nursing (small N) trade is alive and it seems maybe not so well. The Nursing (big N ) profession has a lot of room to grow.
But... ignore the problem, blame it on the soaps, Greys Anatomy. It's their fault that Nursing (big N) isn't as respected as we'd like. Never mind the multiple roles vying for the same title.
Oh I think the nurse acted very appropriately. She called the CNA's bluff. And she did it with skill and style.
Actually, maybe "calling the bluff" and embarrassing the pants of your coworker might have been the jerk thing to do and shows a lack of style. (made you feel better, but did it really help the situation.)
hows about the ""STAT" insulin order from the MD. Was it a stat situation, or can it be fit in with the "STAT" discharge in room 2 and the "STAT" telephone for the patient in room 3 that MD's like to leave orders for.
Maybe he/she (the aide) didn't know any better, but the MD should have. And if the patient was that sick, maybe he should have intervened him / herself or called the RN him / herself.
The education shows through when you can prioritise all the "STAT" orders flying at you on a day to day basis. That is why education counts in being an RN, you can make critical decisions to insure good outcomes for all you patients. this should be the focus of education for allied workers, not embarrasing someone hired into a valid position (ie, it is a paying job we let our employers create) wether we agree or not.
IN SC it is indeed illegal for a person who is not a nurse to represent him/herself as one. This law was passed years ago by the State Legislature and is enforcable, albeit rarely done.
OMG, much to do about nothing!!!!! this topic -obsurd. someone cleared it upon on the LPN/RN issue. Honestly for mature people who is about there business, you guys are fussing about what? You (nurses and nursing students) will be paid as nurses that's what matters. Hello!
Health care professional unity please. Nurses should know how it feels to be looked down on (as less than by doctors) Get off your high horse, or maybe you just need some humble pie? Life will provide that easily. Good luck.
Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
OMG, much to do about nothing!!!!! this topic -obsurd. someone cleared it upon on the LPN/RN issue. Honestly for mature people who is about there business, you guys are fussing about what? You (nurses and nursing students) will be paid as nurses that's what matters. Hello!
Health care professional unity please. Nurses should know how it feels to be looked down on (as less than by doctors) Get off your high horse, or maybe you just need some humble pie? Life will provide that easily. Good luck.
I'm sorry but it is your type of attitude that is a problem. You seem to believe that pay is the only and most important issue. It may be for you. For me, the entry level, the skills and knowledge, what makes up a nurse are much more important then a slary. And I was paid much more than even the average DON, here in Florida.
Actually, maybe "calling the bluff" and embarrassing the pants of your coworker might have been the jerk thing to do and shows a lack of style. (made you feel better, but did it really help the situation.)
hows about the ""STAT" insulin order from the MD. Was it a stat situation, or can it be fit in with the "STAT" discharge in room 2 and the "STAT" telephone for the patient in room 3 that MD's like to leave orders for.
Maybe he/she (the aide) didn't know any better, but the MD should have. And if the patient was that sick, maybe he should have intervened him / herself or called the RN him / herself.
The education shows through when you can prioritise all the "STAT" orders flying at you on a day to day basis. That is why education counts in being an RN, you can make critical decisions to insure good outcomes for all you patients. this should be the focus of education for allied workers, not embarrasing someone hired into a valid position (ie, it is a paying job we let our employers create) wether we agree or not.
Regards,
Ian
Nurses do not take telephone orders delivered by aides. Ever. That's what was inappropriate about the situation. For that matter, no nurse should take second-hand telephone orders from anyone, even another licensed nurse. There's too much room for error.
If anything, that's what the professional nurse should have reminded the CNA, instead of engaging in a juvenile attempt to embarrass the aide and "put her in her place."
OMG, much to do about nothing!!!!! this topic -obsurd. someone cleared it upon on the LPN/RN issue. Honestly for mature people who is about there business, you guys are fussing about what? You (nurses and nursing students) will be paid as nurses that's what matters. Hello!
Health care professional unity please. Nurses should know how it feels to be looked down on (as less than by doctors) Get off your high horse, or maybe you just need some humble pie? Life will provide that easily. Good luck.
If I understand your post--and I'm not sure I do--you're saying it doesn't matter if someone misrepresents himself/herself as a nurse. With all due respect, people like you do a disservice to the profession. The last thing the profession needs is for us to look the other way when people who lack the qualifications try to assume the title of "nurse." It's how nursing gets dumbed-down in the media and how people think everyone from the file clerk to the housekeeper are "nurses." (Not that these people aren't important, but....)
I don't know about you, but I worked darned hard to beome a nurse. My professional identity is comprised of more than just a paycheck. I don't want someone who hasn't gone through the same credentialing process trying to claim the same title I worked so hard for. I want the integrity of the title "nurse" to be protected from people like that.
ohmeowzer RN, RN
2,306 Posts
is there anyway this fraud can be stopped? i did complain once to the BON about a MA calling herself a nurse and they told me there was nothing they could do . they said MA's are not under their power.. or whatever.. they just said .. there was nothing they could do... it was a useless letter to them.. it's very frustrating i know.. i get pt's who are CNA's and they tell me they are nurses... until i ask them RN or LPN? seems like a hopeless battle.. any suggestions?