Calling staff "nurses" who aren't nurses!!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

You are reading page 3 of Calling staff "nurses" who aren't nurses!!

KRVRN, BSN, RN

1,334 Posts

Specializes in NICU.

Using "RN" when one isn't is illegal, yes. Using "nurse" is too, though.

Anyone can nurse someone back to health, that is what "nurse" means in general, or even someone that helps the Dr.

Now, if someone says they are an RN, and they aren't, that is illegal.

Why don't you ask your clinic manager/Dr about getting nametags that clearly state Medical Assistant or Registered Nurse?

If it's really a big deal to you say, "I am Dr. ____'s RN, and actually the only RN in the office. Let me know if you have any questions."

This makes me wonder, who is your supervisor? A medical assistant? The Dr.? Someone without any medical training at all????

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN

1,711 Posts

Anyone can nurse someone back to health, that is what "nurse" means in general, or even someone that helps the Dr.

Now, if someone says they are an RN, and they aren't, that is illegal.

True, but there is more to it than that. In some states, the title "nurse" is protected, not just the titles "RN" and "LPN", so calling oneself a nurse if one is not an RN or an LPN is just as illegal. This is as it should be since people identify the title "nurse" with and RN or an LPN and they think that someone with a license is taking care of them if that person calls him/herself a nurse.

Specializes in Adult SICU; open heart recovery.
you could not be more mistaken. read your Nurse Practice Act if you think it's harmless. It's not. And it's not legal. :angryfire

Thank you!! I totally agree. The nursing profession has enough of an image problem without non-nurses representing us!

Hillary

Daytonite, BSN, RN

4 Articles; 14,603 Posts

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
New York

Nurse Practice Act: Section 6513

1. Anyone not authorized to use a professional title regulated by this title, and who uses such professional title, shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

2. Anyone who knowingly aids or abets three or more persons not authorized to use a professional title regulated by this title, to use such professional title, or knowingly employs three or more persons not authorized to use a professional title regulated by this title, who use such professional title in the course of such employment, shall be guilty of a class E felony.

Now, isn't a professional title, Registered Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse? I disagree that the use of the plain old word "nurse" is a professional title. If someone was calling themselves a registered nurse, but weren't, that would be in violation of the law. I was taught that the title of professional nurse was synonymous with registered nurse; that the word nurse is a generic term.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN

1,711 Posts

Now, isn't a professional title, Registered Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse? I disagree that the use of the plain old word "nurse" is a professional title. If someone was calling themselves a registered nurse, but weren't, that would be in violation of the law. I was taught that the title of professional nurse was synonymous with registered nurse; that the word nurse is a generic term.

That is not always the case. Better to be safe and reserve the title of nurse for ACTUAL nurses

Nurse Practice Act Section: 71-1,132.17

In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness, it is unlawful for any person to use the title nurse in reference to himself or herself in any capacity, except individuals who are or have been licensed as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse.

Mystery5

475 Posts

I agree, it's totally inappropriate for a non-nurse to call themselves a nurse. But, pts will use the word loosely in the way that is defined in Websters. A person of integrity will identify themselves by their official title, IMO.

My point is that pts often don't know who is who, and will call all caregivers in scrubs nurses.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN

1,711 Posts

I agree, but it is our responsibility as nurses to educate the public about who is providing their care.

leslie :-D

11,191 Posts

every place i've worked at, it has always been required to wear a name badge followed by your title....is that not required anywhere else?

leslie

Mystery5

475 Posts

Trouble with name badges is a lot of pts don't pay too much attention to them. I think some sort of uniform would help, but I doubt if it'll happen.

I think a lot of the CNA's don't bother to correct the pts, and enjoy having them think they are nurses. I don't think there's much you can do about that. With all the problems facing medical care, this is probably not the biggest.

As far as respect for the profession, I think nurses are highly respected, trusted and admired, according to Gallup polls. I personally am somewhat revered at my church by some of the people whom I've cared for. So, the public does love us.:)

GrnHonu99, RN

1,459 Posts

Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.
Everyone wearing scrubs is a nurse nowadays. Patients don't know the names of all the different health care providers.

My daughter's school had what I thought was a nurse. She is there full time in her own nice office taking care of kids. When I asked she told me she was a "health tech II" - whatever that is. When I asked what sort of training this might entail and what her scope of practice was, she told me when she started, "only a 12 hr class was needed"!!!! And also that she couldn't give injections but that she can catheterize people. She said she had a kid with spinal bifida who she cathed twice a day!!! This blew my mind.

Melissa

no way!! cant be?? I took a CNA course before I started nursing school at it was an 80 hr course....we couldnt even insert caths! 12 hrs? thats scary...

+ Add a Comment

By using the site, you agree with our Policies. X