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?????
He is called Dr. Smith because he IS Dr. Smith. The public need to know would only be important if he were to attempt to practice medicine, which he is not qualified for. But he earned a doctorate and if it makes him happy to be called Dr. he's qualified.
It's very simple...if you aren't a nurse then don't call yourself one. Period. End of story. And doctors shouldn't allow their employees to pass themselves off as nurses when they aren't. They all know better and they are equally culpable.
If a patient refers to you as a nurse you can simply tell them your actual title. There is no shame in being a CNA, MA, etc. Most people who work in the medical field do so because they want to help others. I'm doing my pre-reqs for NS right now and I am proud of that. One of my pre-reqs is a HHA course and I plan on working as one while in NS. I will hold my head with that title as I earned it.
As far as non-medical staff (secretary, receptionist, etc.) taking my medical info I would prefer to speak with a nurse, doctor, MA, etc.
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?????
who cares. don't you have bigger fish to fry (especially as a nurse) instead of worrying about someone elses dillusions? as long as that person is not taking on the responsibilities of that title and being a danger to others. don't let it bruise your esteem.
He has a doctorate that he earned, he is not claiming to be a medical doctor...which is different from being a nurse aide and calling oneself a nurse...or a PA calling oneself a physician.
:yeahthat: If I earned a doctorate in any field I would want to be referred to as Dr. Dutchie.
dang everyone~~~~~[color=deepskyblue]can't we all just get along???!!! we (ma's, cna's, lpn's, rn's, pa's, rt/ot's, and every other member of the entire health care field) are all in this field for the same purpose---to help those who can't help themselves!! just be proud of who you are and of your contributions to the well being of those in need, you'll be so much happier at the end of your day/shift. and please, stop b****ing~~~~it's so unbecoming to the healthcare profession as a whole-and discouraging to those who might be considering getting into some form of healthcare!
I remember we were taught in nursing school that you don't practice anything above your training. In light of that, I believe the other personnel should just say that they are a part of the medical team. If not a nurse, then say they will get one.
that sounds like a practical and great way to adress the issue-
dang everyone~~~~~can't we all just get along???!!! we (ma's, cna's, lpn's, rn's, pa's, rt/ot's, and every other member of the entire health care field) are all in this field for the same purpose---to help those who can't help themselves!! just be proud of who you are and of your contributions to the well being of those in need, you'll be so much happier at the end of your day/shift. and please, stop b****ing~~~~it's so unbecoming to the healthcare profession as a whole-and discouraging to those who might be considering getting into some form of healthcare!
it's not about getting along and working together. it's about those persons who insist on calling themselves nurses and deceiving the public.
it's about being proud of who you are and saying i am an lpn, rn, cna or ma whatever the case may be.
lets say you take your sick child to the pediatrician. after leaving you go to the pharmacy find out that actually this doctor is a veternarian, wouldn't you feel duped? wouldn't you be just alittle upset? would you have let this veternarian care for your child had you known he was not in fact a medical doctor?
maybe he stayed at a holiday inn express last night!
Thank you!! Couldn't have said it any better myself. Your example was exactly what was happening where I was working. These very young parents were being lied to about who was taking care of their infants. I have no problem with unlicensed personnel doing basic vitals, etc. but injections,caths, and invasive treatments were being done when they had never been trained. The only real nurse there was me and the rest were allowed to call themselves nurses. Not only is it deceitful, in this state it is illegal. I don't understand why some people don't get it. I was told that was "the way of the future" and what was going to be done so the corporation could save money and the "docs could have more money at the end of the year". I was told that the corporation's insurance policy allowed for this practice. I asked to see the policy and was refused. Illegal is illegal. I don't care how you cut it or what kind of spin you try to put on it.
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
I agree completely about deliberately misrepresenting oneself.
However, don't assume that because a patient refers to "that doctor" or "that nurse" that the patient was lied to or misled.
I'm a FNP. I introduce myself that way, have a nametag that indicates that, and patients are notified of that before I ever see them.
I still get called "doc" or "doctor" on a regular basis. I correct people, but I've learned that to most people, it doesn't matter what my title is; as one patient told me once, "You do what a doctor does and so you're my doctor."
A while back I was in a store with my son and ran into a patient. I introduced them without telling my son that this was a patient. He asked (before I could kick him) "How do you know my mom?" and the patient replied "Well, she's my doctor." Sonny then jumped in with "Oh, she's not a doctor, she's just a nurse!" The patient then shot back "She takes care of me so she's my doctor!" (Yes, another kick for the "just a" part).
Not long ago a patient was "doc"-ing me during an office visit, even after I'd corrected him once: "so, doc, I've had this blah blah blah." Then he turned around and asked me "So, how long have you been a Nurse Practitioner?"
I really don't think that most of us misrepresent ourselves, but sometimes there's not a lot we can do to correct patient's misconceptions (just ask nurses who are male how many times they have been called doctor or asked if they are the doctor, even when wearing a name tag with "RN" or "LVN" in big bold letters).
It does anger me when I know someone is using a title to which they're not entitled, but unless I know for sure I try not to assume the worst.
psalm, RN
1,263 Posts
He is called Dr. Smith because he IS Dr. Smith. The public need to know would only be important if he were to attempt to practice medicine, which he is not qualified for. But he earned a doctorate and if it makes him happy to be called Dr. he's qualified.
Apples and oranges...