Calling yourself a "nurse"

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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?????:uhoh3:

Specializes in orthopaedics.

sadly the term nurse is used so loosely but is often only protected by those that actually have the title. there is nothing wrong with being a secretary, medical assistant, nurses aid, etc. and actually saying what you are.

a local hospital has gone to putting the title on the name badges which is pretty much standard anywhere but, also there is a colored card, each color is different for every discipline, that overlaps the underneath of the name badge that is in bold print stating "registered nurse", "lpn", "nurses aide" (you get my drift) i am wondering why they went to this. i am thinking to make it easier for patients to identify whom they are dealing with at the time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Actually, I looked into this for my own State when this turned into a lengthy thread a few months ago. It is NOT 100% illegal to call oneself a nurse in all 50 States. In fact, in NY, it is ONLY illegal to call oneself a "Registered Professional Nurse"(or "Registered Nurse"), or "Licensed Practical Nurse" if one does not hold either of those licenses. It is only the full title that is protected.

Four more days... :)

Effective 7/26/07, here's how NY Education Law, Section 6902 will read:

"Only a person licensed or authorized under this article shall practice nursing and only a person licensed under section sixty-nine hundred five of this article shall use the title "registered professional nurse" and only a person licensed under section sixty-nine hundred six of this article shall use the title "licensed practical nurse". No person shall use the title "nurse" or any other title or abbreviation that would represent to the public that the person is authorized to practice nursing unless the person is licensed or otherwise authorized under this article."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Rehab, LTC.

This drives me nuts in the health care setting and with family. I am so tired of being introduced as the nursing student! I don't think people understand the difference between CNA, LPN, RN, and so on.

I started a new job a couple weeks ago. I came in for orientation, filled out paperwork, watched videos, then went for a tour with the HR lady and another new employee who was going to be working as a CNA. The HR lady starts introducing me to everyone alongwith the other girl,as a CNA. I corrected her, and she got all bent out of shape and asked me why I didn't tell her earlier in the day. She had put me in the computer as a CNA. I did tell her earlier in the day, and I do believe she should have had this information before I walked in the door. Anyway, she assumed by looking at me that I was a CNA, I don't know why, maybe because I look young. How irritating...

I do need to change my screen name cause I am a student, but I am also a NURSE. Sorry, touchy subject for me too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
It makes me mad that people will come in to visit their loved one, claim to be a nurse, criticise everyone's care and then we all find out that the family member is not a nurse, but a CNA, or a lab tech or something stupid like that!!! I worked hard to be able to call myself a "nurse"!!!

I agree 100% but wouldn't put it quite like that. I hold a good CNA in high regard as well. I couldn't do their job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Addictions, Corrections, QA/Education.

Yes, I hate this too. I used to work in an Assisted Living Facility where they had Med Techs. The administrator used to call them nurses. I hated it. They also advertised 24 hour nursing care and technically they didnt have nurses around the clock. Only 2 nurses worked there and we took turns being on call. This was legal but the advertising was misleading for people putting their loved ones in there thinking they had a nurse available all the time.:trout:

I know where you are coming from. We work very hard to earn our title as a nurse...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Yeah - I gotta agree - It makes me mad that people will come in to visit their loved one, claim to be a nurse, criticise everyone's care and then we all find out that the family member is not a nurse, but a CNA, or a lab tech or something stupid like that!!! I worked hard to be able to call myself a "nurse"!!!

MAJOR pet peeve of mine! I had another one that was actually funny! I was working med-surg for orientation and the CNAs placed an elderly client in the chair after morning care. Makes sense, she usually in bed, we want to expand the lungs, give a change of scenery, etc... Her granddaughter, conincidently, is an old school mate of mine (didn't like her, then, either). She begins to scream and holler that her grandmother is not supposed to be sitting up like that, and then says "I KNOW what I am talking about...I am an LPN!!" (so am I). So, then, I say; "Then, I am sure you know the rationale why she should not lay in bed all day, don't you?". She shut up really quick. :angryfire

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Addictions, Corrections, QA/Education.
I don't think the public has a clue. If they take can take a pulse and wear scrubs, they're a nurse. Oh and the female part goes a long way too.

This is true... sad but true:angryfire

Up Vote Up Vote ×
All states require a nursing education and a license, in order to call yourself a nurse. And BON take a very negative view of anyone calling themselves a nurse without a license. And your doctor should know it. I wonder if he would feel the same way, if a physician assistant referred to himself as a doctor. I bet he would have a very negative attitude towards the P.A. who calls himself a physician.:angryfire

Woody

What would the BON do about a person who is not a nurse calling themselves a nurse? They only have the power to punish a licensed person by suspending or revoking a license, right? I heard about a MD who was taken to task for having a MA call herself a nurse. It was actually his suggestion that she do so but when challenged about it he fired her and hired himself someone else at $9 an hour. What did he care? That is just a story someone told me I have no proof.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
What would the BON do about a person who is not a nurse calling themselves a nurse? They only have the power to punish a licensed person by suspending or revoking a license, right? I heard about a MD who was taken to task for having a MA call herself a nurse. It was actually his suggestion that she do so but when challenged about it he fired her and hired himself someone else at $9 an hour. What did he care? That is just a story someone told me I have no proof.

There could be a huge fine or even jail time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

My badge at work reads Nuring Assistant, and my badge at school reads Student Practical Nurse... and I correct anyone who calls me Nurse. I say I'm a nursing assistant and a student nurse, but unfortunately, some people can't or won't buy a clue. I'm not a nurse yet... 18 more months of schooling and boards, and after I pass those boards will I be able to call myself a Nurse. When a patient calls out to me when I'm in the hall and says "Nurse", I will go into their rooms and say "I'm a nursing assistant, can I help you?" That's usually when they say they want the nurse. For some reason, patients don't seem to like nursing assistants....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ub-Acute/LTC, Home Health, L&D, Peds.
Yeah - I gotta agree - It makes me mad that people will come in to visit their loved one, claim to be a nurse, criticise everyone's care and then we all find out that the family member is not a nurse, but a CNA, or a lab tech or something stupid like that!!! I worked hard to be able to call myself a "nurse"!!!

I wouldn't say a CNA or lab tech is stupid. They work hard too.;) No they shouldn't say they are nurses, they should be proud of the position they hold. Every job is an important one. It takes a healthcare team to care for our patients. I just don't get why some people can't be proud of the role they play in the healthcare team.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
I wouldn't say a CNA or lab tech is stupid. They work hard too.;) No they shouldn't say they are nurses, they should be proud of the position they hold. Every job is an important one. It takes a healthcare team to care for our patients. I just don't get why some people can't be proud of the role they play in the healthcare team.

I could not do the job of a good CNA. Yes, they should be proud of their position but I think society looks at them as "pooper scoopers", and that is really sad. Some techs do take advantage by referring to themselves as nurses. I think they are clearly nurse wannabee's. Those comfortable in their role are ok saying they are a CNA. The others need to quit whininng and complaining about nurses. Go to school, get a license or shut it up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment