Can I go by a nickname as a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am a new grad and will be starting orientation next week for a job as staff nurse on a Telemetry unit. My legal first name is Elizabeth, but I have ALWAYS gone by Liza. Does anyone know the rules/protocols for using such a nickname on a security badge or while signing charts?

If I start by using Liza Last Name, can I just continue to sign that way as long as I am consistent? My license is in my legal full name.

Thanks for any information you have.

Liza? Elizabeth?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Rehab, Home Health.

What goes on the badge depends on what the employer wants; but usually "Liza: on the badge shouldn't be a problem. On all legal documentation, nurses' note etc. you would have to use your legal name. Usually though the first initial and last name are used a lot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

A nurse that works on med-surg where we are doing clinicals is called by a nick name on her badge and when she signs, but it is not her legal first name, it is actually her maiden last name. I do not know what her license says. I always thought it was her name, until I was told otherwise.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

In most states, your signature must be the name on your license; but frequently it can be just your first initial and last name. What's on your badge may be up to your employer. Have you ever considered getting your name changed?

When I was young and single, my initials were MG. People said who is writing miligrams on everything? So I used MRG. Then I married, and my initials were MD, and people said, what doctor did this? So I used MRD! A secong marriage gave me a last name that began with F. I NEVER used "MF", but instead used MRF!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My first name is chris, but i go by my middle name ryan, and that's the name that's on all my legal documentation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Elizabeth when you sign, Liza on your badge and when you introduce yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in jack of all trades.

I've always used my nickname on my badge and then use my first and middle initials with last name for my signature. I have never been called by my legal name and it sounds very foriegn for me if someone does use it not being familar with me. I'm either appear I'm looking into space or ignoring them lol. I was adopted at age 4 and my parents had my first/middle name legally changed yet continue to use my birth name when addressing me. I know weird lol. I will have it legally changed in due time back to my birth as it can be a pain. I've held off in respect for my adoptive parents.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I worked Tele we had 5 nurses named sheila. We all had different spellings and such,but for overhead or when tracking us down,we had to come up with something,or 5 nurse Sheila's would answer every page!

1. I became "Irish"Sheilagh(I am and I look it)

2.Another became "Tall Sheila" because she was

3.The 3 other nurses were Indian,so they became

sheila t. sheila m and sheila p

Somedays I really miss all of them...:crying2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Sheilagh..

Funny you say that.

My name is Laurie and on my floor their is also a Laura (SW), Lorrie (charge nurse), Laura (CNA), and a Lori (NP). Just recently another Laurie (RN) and a Lauren (CNA) just left.. Sometimes all 7 of us would be there on the same day... talk about confusing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

You can ask your patients and co-workers to call you whatever you please. Your documentation should be done using your legal name as is on your license. Many of us use first inital and last name when signing documentation.

I'm sure a nickname wouldn't be a problem on a badge...the badges at my work have our photo on the left side, and our preferred name in large letters. Underneath our photo, our full name and title is written.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

At my facility your badge would like like this: Elizabeth "Liza" your last name,RN. It is the lewis blackman law that requires your legal name on your badge here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

i'm katherine, and all my credit cards, driver's license, passport, etc. are in my married name as katherine b. ______, while my social security card and nursing license before i became disabled, were kept in my maiden name. i always had "kathy" on my badge or

name tag, however. i had kept my ss card and nursing license in my maiden name and when

several years ago, someone stole my identity using my updated driver's license and replacement ss card i had sent for by stealing them from our mailbox before either of us got home. when i got married, i changed everything to my new last name but somehow forgot those two things. that was how the thief was apprehended. all my credit cards, driver's license, tax returns, library cards, mortgage agreement etc. were in my married name and helped prove the thief wasn't who she claimed to be.

my pay check was made out to katherine b. ______. only my 5th grade teacher and a couple of great aunts have ever called me katherine.

kathy

sharpeimom:paw::paw:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment