Calling yourself an RN

[MadpeysRN]

I am Facebook friends with someone i work with. She lists herself as an RN where we work and she is not. She is housekeeping staff. This makes me crazy!

[Eru Ilúvatar]

See, that's the rub. Working as a nurse when you're aren't one is one thing, and as annoying as it is for non-nurses to claim to be nurses, they're not actually harming anyone by just saying they're a nurse.

That is where you are missing the point. By calling themselves nurses they are harming the image of the licensed personnel. Why, because if they do something wrong or bad, people will the say " nurses are mean, nurses suck, nurses etc..". The name protected by law is Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse, not "nurse" by itself. But we as professionals should not be allowing anyone to call themselves other than what they really are, policing ourself is the only solution, not one that people will do, but the right one. I wouldn't call myself a nurse, since i am only a student RN. But i would not like someone that hasn't spend the money, sacrifice and time that i have put into becoming one, using the title i will earn so lightly and without repercussion.

[JoseQuinones]

I don't know if you have it like this in the States or Canada, but here in the Spanish-speaking world we have "enfermeras" (ADN) and "enfermeras graduadas" (BSN or above). There is a vast level of difference between the "enfermera graduada" and the rest because of a huge socioeconomic and cultural difference between the two. (There are tons of ADN programs, often at for-profit, unaccredited institutions, but only a couple accredited BSN programs and since they teach in English for the NCLEX, they are associated with people of a higher educational level. So there's that baggage.) Even in the community, people seem to know the difference and have a sort of holy respect for the "graduadas." So here we have a lot of nurses at the ADN level or even the LPN level who claim to be "enfermeras graduadas," when they aren't. However, that rarely lasts long because the real ones set them straight in a hurry.

I'm finishing my BSN soon and would never dare to call myself an "enfermero graduado" till then.

[Graduation2016]

It is my understanding that even students who have graduated NS but yet to pass NCLEX cannot call themselves nurses either neither sign RN, LPN or whatever next to their name because in reality, yes, they have graduated a program but do not hold a license which is what actually gives you the right to call yourself a nurse. 😉

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Regarding the seeming abundance of students who portray themselves as nurses, I'm actually a little surprised it's being permitted by their schools. Seeing as how they are carrying around tote bags with their name and the designation "RN", surely they are using these where actual nurses and instructors can see them?

When I was in school, right in the beginning, when we were first learning how to write nursing notes for the charts, it was drilled into our little heads that we were to use the designation "SN" for "Student Nurse" and that designation was included in the key on every page we were to write on. No exceptions. If we were found to be using the designation "RN" before we had earned that title, I know for a FACT that our instructors would have gone RIOTA$$WILD on us, because they were quite explicit that it was NOT for our use. In fact, it was listed as a reason for disciplinary action, outcome to be determined at each infraction. We knew that using the designation Nurse or RN could actually get us kicked out of the program.

Guess what? NOT ONE STUDENT seemed to be confused as to the fact that they were STUDENTS, not NURSES. Geez!

[DeeAngel]

Report her to HR and the BON of the state you live in.

[klone, MSN, RN]

The name protected by law is Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse, not "nurse" by itself. .

It depends on the state. In some states, even the word "nurse" is a protected title.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I don't know if you have it like this in the States or Canada, but here in the Spanish-speaking world we have "enfermeras" (ADN) and "enfermeras graduadas" (BSN or above). There is a vast level of difference between the "enfermera graduada" and the rest because of a huge socioeconomic and cultural difference between the two. (There are tons of ADN programs, often at for-profit, unaccredited institutions, but only a couple accredited BSN programs and since they teach in English for the NCLEX, they are associated with people of a higher educational level. So there's that baggage.) Even in the community, people seem to know the difference and have a sort of holy respect for the "graduadas." So here we have a lot of nurses at the ADN level or even the LPN level who claim to be "enfermeras graduadas," when they aren't. However, that rarely lasts long because the real ones set them straight in a hurry.

I'm finishing my BSN soon and would never dare to call myself an "enfermero graduado" till then.

I had no idea. About half of our population is Spanish-speaking, and I always introduce myself as the "enfermera". Had no idea they may be looking down upon me because I didn't specify "graduada"

[klone, MSN, RN]

It is my understanding that even students who have graduated NS but yet to pass NCLEX cannot call themselves nurses either neither sign RN, LPN or whatever next to their name because in reality, yes, they have graduated a program but do not hold a license which is what actually gives you the right to call yourself a nurse. 😉

That is correct. Unlike an MD, RN is a licensure, not a degree.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

that is why I posted because I not sure what can be done. Is it only illegal in certain states??

It is illegal in all 50 states to call yourself an RN when you are not one. It is punishable by criminal prosecution and if she ever wants to me a nurse in real life she can be forever barred from becoming an RN in the future. You may want to print and show her this message.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

It depends on the state. In some states, even the word "nurse" is a protected title.

I am not that familiar with all states, but i find it good that even the designation "nurse" is protected. This should spread to a nationally protected title for the sake of patient safety.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

I had no idea. About half of our population is Spanish-speaking, and I always introduce myself as the "enfermera". Had no idea they may be looking down upon me because I didn't specify "graduada"

It probably is a cultural thing in Puerto Rico. Hispanic cultures tend to be more protective and respectful of earned titles.

I am voicing this from experience, lived in several latin american countries.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

That is correct. Unlike an MD, RN is a licensure, not a degree.

Wait, doesn't the physician has to pass the USME (or something like that) in order to obtain licensure too? Isn't the MD the RN equivalent for them?