Calling yourself an RN

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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!

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
Most of these are "practicing" violations. A few say "using RN title", but give no context at all. What were the circumstances of your acquaintance? I would love to find one concrete example of disiplanary action for simply saying, "I'm on RN." on social media. So far, no one has been able to confirm that it's ever happened.

I find it very difficult to believe that there are going to be serious penalties (i.e. fine, jail time) for someone who falsely claims on FB they are an RN. Obviously people who practice when they are not licensed should face harsh penalties. Also, it is really inappropriate when an MA is referred to as "nurse," and I would go to a different PCP if I find that my PCP's office is participating in that practice. However, I, personally, cannot get riled up over someone who states on FB that they are an RN when they clearly are not.

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Actually, here in Washington State, we have a similar policy- its called, "reading for the law". It is Rule 6 of the Washington State Bar Association.

You team up with a licensed attorney, and he/she tutors you, there are specific guidelines, and goals, that have to be attained, etc. You are tested regularly, to determine that you are learning what you are supposed to learn, etc.

In the end, you are allowed to take the Bar Exam, and if you pass, you are a licensed attorney, who may practice law.

I don't know what the ramifications are, if you want to apply for a law license in another state, ie, reciprocity, but you can become a lawyer, without having to go to law school.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN (ret)

Somewhere in the PACNW

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I have to throw it in, again. In WI, an LPN CANNOT call themselves a "nurse", stand alone. They HAVE to say "I'm an LPN". Crazy, I know.

Oh wow that is more strict that i would have though. Technically a LPN is a nurse so i don't know why be so harsh with them. They do study their fare share too and have good preparation. But I guess that they reserve the "nurse" designation specifically to RN in WI then.

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Again, a WI fluke, but if you are a WI resident, educated in WI and practicing in WI, you do NOT need to sit for the bar exam. It's called diploma privleges---you can google it. We're a crazy state, I tell you!!

I remember there was one wacky State out there, and i seem to have found it lol. But nonetheless they still had to go through the formal education , so in a way still counts lol.

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I'd totally blame Walker, but these were rules in place LONG before his reign of terror....

Ah the beloved union buster. Making middle class americans poorer one day at a time. Heard he also messed up public finances because of excessive tax cuts, now the State budget is dry like California water supplies... Lol

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Most of these are "practicing" violations. A few say "using RN title", but give no context at all. What were the circumstances of your acquaintance? I would love to find one concrete example of disiplanary action for simply saying, "I'm an RN." on social media. So far, no one has been able to confirm that it's ever happened.

The rule is there but I am pretty sure is not that enforceable. That is why actual nurses should be self policing for these behaviors and correcting them since is a law put in place to protect our profession. But i guess being responsible for the wellbeing of a profession is to much to ask some people, sometimes I wish nursing had a bit more claws,and fought harder as a whole for what is right and good for all nurses. If doctors are fierce protecting their interests, and CPA would scold down on anyone claiming to be one without passing boards, i wonder why nurses let those things just fly by and do nothing about it.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I tried to look it up, but don't seem able to for PA. Have you seen actual discipline records related to claiming to be a nurse? Not acting as one ...but just saying you are one?

You have to look up the disciplinary action; there's a list; in the past, they've stated the persons name, impersonating a nurse/fraud, and then there is a fine, and then said person is not able to practice as a

nurse; as far as stating that they are a nurse; it never gets into those specifics. :no:

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

10 years ago, there was a physician that had a website where he listed all his medical assistants under heading "Nurses" --found by a new patient RN who ranted here. I screen shoted website picture + copied link, sent info to Nevada BON with members also sending letters.

BON sent him immediate cease and desist letter -- 3 days later, doctor called me apologizing, "didn't know" and had website update completed to Medical Assistants.

Some BON are more proactive than others--depends on # reported cases overall that they can handle.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
In order to be able to get a license as a physician, an individual must pass all 3 parts of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Usually medical students will take Steps 1 and 2 during med school--if I am not mistaken some (all?) schools require passage of Steps 1 and 2 to graduate. Step 3 is then taken during an individual's residency. If a person graduates from medical school, they are a Doctor of Medicine (MD), but they do not have a license and they cannot practice medicine independently, they have to pass Step 3. MDs are not required to complete a residency (only to do, I believe 1 year), but no decent hospital will grant a physician privileges with completing a residency.

I apologize if I got any of the details wrong--please feel free to correct me. One thing I don't know--does the PVT work for USML? (sorry, couldn't resist)

I don't know about that, but I'm pretty sure you can't pass it in just 75 questions.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
10 years ago, there was a physician that had a website where he listed all his medical assistants under heading "Nurses" --found by a new patient RN who ranted here. I screen shoted website picture + copied link, sent info to Nevada BON with members also sending letters.

BON sent him immediate cease and desist letter -- 3 days later, doctor called me apologizing, "didn't know" and had website update completed to Medical Assistants.

Some BON are more proactive than others--depends on # reported cases overall that they can handle.

Wow! Good job on that!

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Specializes in ICU.

Amen to that!

I can't resist adding.... Back in my bartending days, I distinctly recall overhearing at least 3 males on different occasions insisting that they were gynecologists... Something tells me I may have just eavesdropped on epic pickup line fails... har har har :-)

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Amen to that!

I can't resist adding.... Back in my bartending days, I distinctly recall overhearing at least 3 males on different occasions insisting that they were gynecologists... Something tells me I may have just eavesdropped on epic pickup line fails... har har har :-)

Most guys that go to the bar are gynecologists. Should be common sense. Why else would they go to the bar?

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