Calling yourself a "nurse"

[Jamie2887]

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?????

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Why anyone would want to blatently present themself as something they are not, is unlawful, dishonest, foolish and reeks of insecurity.

I totally agree.

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Some are saying if an elderly confused patient wants to call everyone who cares for her a nurse then maybe better to just let it go than to upset the patient by constantly telling her something that she may not ever understand.

Correcting the nurse I think may apply to the nurse understanding all this and letting the patient go on calling all those caring for her nurses, even in the case of her doctor.

It's confusing to me but that the best I can make of it. I understand what is being said. An elderly confused pt would become even more confused if she is constantly told "no this person is a CNA, no this person is a nurse, no this person is a lab tech", in order to pull her into reality, etc.... I would have to agree.

It's not the same as a non licensed person purposely calling themselves a nurse and misleading patients to believe they are something they are not. We're talking alert and orientated patients who deserve the truth.

I don't really think members disagree with this or your platform in elderly patients confusing the terms. It really is a system issue regarding the field of nursing and the fractionation of its parts. The elderly are most vulnerable...and our duty as nurses is to protect them as we care for them.

My stance and platform is in my post # 366. However, it does become a way different issue, a legal and ethical issue, when any unlicensed person presents himself/herself (to the public) as something they are not. When it comes to our health, we and family deserve to know the truth about our health care providers tending to us....it is a sacred public right. For those who purposely mislead the public, you do so at your own risk and if caught, deserve the full measure of the law in your area. I am pretty confident that in my area (as well as in many other different states), a Pharmacist, a Doctor, a Psychologist, a Counselor, a Social Worker, a Nurse, or a Pharmacist would be contacting their state board in a heart beat/New York minute regarding any unlicensed person masquerading to the public as someone in their profession with the misuse of title...when they clearly do not have it (fraud).

[Emma123]

I feel your concern, if not angst over this..for it opens the door quite large for charlatans in your area. By the way, the definition for charlatan is this, so my use of this term is very correct: a person who pretends to have more knowledge or skill than he or she possesses; quack. I would suggest contacting your State Nursing Board and/or your State Representative regarding issues such as you have...to protect your public against medical, legal, or nursing fraud. I would even dare say that if any unlicensed person holds himself/herself as a "licensed nurse" and touches/intervenes upon that patient, while giving the appearance of being a licensed nurse, places himself/herself in great risk of commiting Battery...which is also illegal. It smells of law suit...especially if something goes wrong or missed.

Hugs

Thunderwolf, thanks for reading my mind. I was all set to google "charlatan".

On a serious note, however, I do appreciate your suggestions and guidance in resolution to this. Thank you.

Emma

[DaMale Nurse]

In my experience I do not call myself a nurse. I call myself an RN. During nursing school my class made up several t-shirts that had RN in big letters on the front to clearly identify ourselves to our patients. I know at most facility's they actually like those shirts but I have run into people who don't like them (mostly CNA's or LPN's).... so.... who knows.....

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

When I go to get a patient from ER or SDC I always introduce myself by my first name and tell them I'm an RN who works in medical imaging because otherwise I get alot of questions about medical imaging that are better off answered by the CT or MRI tech.

[angel's RN]

Hey Guys--

Here is my :twocents:. I COMPLETELY agree with everyone who says that "If you aren't a nurse, PLEASE don't call yourself a nurse." I worked long and hard for my degree, and it burns me up :flmngmd: when I go to my MD's office and- even HE says- "Hang here a minute, the NURSE will bring back your Rx", and I know that this office uses Medical Office Assistants. If you want to call yourself a nurse, LPN, or RN, GO BACK TO SCHOOL and work for it, just like I did (and I ain't no spring chicken!:omy:).

's RN

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

hey guys--

here is my :twocents:. i completely agree with everyone who says that "if you aren't a nurse, please don't call yourself a nurse." i worked long and hard for my degree, and it burns me up :flmngmd: when i go to my md's office and- even he says- "hang here a minute, the nurse will bring back your rx", and i know that this office uses medical office assistants. if you want to call yourself a nurse, lpn, or rn, go back to school and work for it, just like i did (and i ain't no spring chicken!:omy:).

's rn

amen angel !!!