claiming to be what she isn't

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Specializes in trauma/ m.s..

Has anyone ever had someone claim to be a nurse when they weren't? Last night at my hubby's ballgame one of the other players girlfriend claimed she was a R.N. and when I asked her what school she graduated from she named a local facility. I remembered the name but gave her the benefit of the doubt thinking "diploma program" but had my doubts because I have heard her lie before about trivial stuff and I haven't lived in this area for that long to really know much about the schools. Anyway, so came home looked it up on the internet and it is a Medical Asst. school. That is cool and I get along with everyone regardless of what title, job, or position in life they hold that goes for most nurses. I'm not her friend, enemy, or anything in between so why lie? Anyway, I'm not going to rat her out to her face but just wondered if many people have had the same experience at some time?:uhoh3:

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Specializes in med surg.

I've never come across that, but I met up with a friend I hadn't seen for a year or so and she lied and told me she was a CNA. I talked to her a little about it and I realized that she hadn't done the training or anything, she was just a nurses aid somewhere without certification. I know she knows there is a difference, but maybe it just didn't make a difference to her. I don't think there was much harm in it, we were just catching up and she has always been a chronic liar. In just passing small talk, I don't think that it's a problem, I just hope that she would never try to pull that on an employer somewhere.

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Some people can do/say anything with no conscience. It can be a

sociopathic personality.......and they get away with it......they can

be very charming.....and they can be at any level of society.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I don't understand why someone would want to lie about their title. Be proud of whatever it is you accomplished in life. There is no shame in saying you are a MA, or CNA or NA or whatever. All require some kind of training beyond highschool.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Depending on how onery I was feeling, the next time I ran into her, I might ask, "I was remembering you mentioned that you were an RN and took your training at x school - do they offer a nursing program now? I had a friend who was interested but I thought it was a training program for MA's only?"

Or not. :)

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On my wedding night one of my bridesmaids (who desperately seeks attention) had a bit too much to drink. Now I know her decision thinking was a bit impaired, but I've had too much to drink before and I don't start in with complete and total lies.

Anyway, she was going around telling my parents friends that she was going to a University School in Wisconsin for a Psychology degree. She was going to be a psychologist. What the crap???? She dropped out of school her freshman year and was going to a dental assisting program. (not that there's anything wrong with that), so why did she have to lie. She was telling this to my dad's boss of all people.

Anyway, I don't know why people feel they have to lie. I think if you love what you do then you should be proud to show it. IMO

It was really embarrassing to say the least.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I feel pretty much the same way you do, but you really don't know how many people this girl has believing that she's an RN.

So suppose they're going to her for advice. She's now privy to all kinds of very privileged health information, and who knows what advice she's giving them?

She needs to know that posing as an RN is illegal. At least in my state it is. Also, you should be able to check out her licensure on your state BON website.

I would have a little private chat with her. If she is an MA, she should certainly be aware that what she's doing is ethically wrong, at the very least, and could cause her to lose her MA cert.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Folks who have poor self esteem sometimes fib about their qualifications. I actually work with a nurse who says he has a masters degree in nursing and sounded so convincing he actually did a lecture at our college of nursing. However, we all know (now) that if I say I have a masters degree, he'll say he has a doctorate! You know - the one upmanship.

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Specializes in Rehab, Step-down,Tele,Hospice.

My SIL is a Surgical Tech and constantly tells people she is a Surgical Asst/nurse. People are always asking her for advice, as I sit there shaking my head, not even beliving the nonsense coming out of her mouth.

Once in a while I can't stand it and tell them what she said is absolutly WRONG, but for the most part I just roll my eyes and walk away, as saying anything to her will start WW3 with my family.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.
My SIL is a Surgical Tech and constantly tells people she is a Surgical Asst/nurse. People are always asking her for advice, as I sit there shaking my head, not even beliving the nonsense coming out of her mouth.

Once in a while I can't stand it and tell them what she said is absolutly WRONG, but for the most part I just roll my eyes and walk away, as saying anything to her will start WW3 with my family.

I know a person who does the same thing, kind of. I work with her in the OR, she has said many times, "where I worked before, I was a private scrub NURSE for Dr so and so." She is a surgical technician, and knows the difference because she is actually going to school part time to become an RN!!!! Sometimes I think people dont see a difference, because they use the term "nurse" loosely, and quite generically.....:uhoh3:

Then there are other people, who will actually argue with you, (cna's, for example) that they are "nurses" because they take care of people in a medical facility, and the little fact that they arent Registered, or Practical nurses,(or any kind of nurse!!!) really isnt important, because "they are still a nurse".......:uhoh3: That a whole 'nother thread......

(I would like to add that this has been my experience, with SOME not ALL, ancillary personell)

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Yup in Texas - even using the word NURSE when you are not is illegal - let alone the term REGISTERED nurse.

Under section 301.251(d)(1) of the (Texas) Nurse Practice Act...

(d) Unless the person holds a license under this chapter, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name:

(1) the title "nurse"; or

(2) any other designation tending to imply that the person is licensed to provide nursing care.

It is on page 23 at this link:

ftp://www.bne.state.tx.us/npa2005.pdf

"Nurse" is a protected occupational title in Texas.

And "RN" is too.

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Had an MA tell me once that she was an RN. What she didn't realize was that I used to go to the doctor whose office she (did) work at. Yup. Set her straight - and the doctor. Funny - but now all his MA's are called "medical assistants" not nurses, and she wasn't working there the next time I went...go figure.

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She could find herself in a bit of trouble is she wanted to press the issue.

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Specializes in previously Med/Surg; now Nursery.

It is pitiful that someone needs to pose as a nurse to boost their self-esteem. Maybe if they actually walked in a real nurse's shoes for a day they would see how dumped on we are by patients, patients' families, doctors, CNA's, lab techs, administration, nurse managers, blah, blah, blah, the list could go on all day!

I've never had known of anyone posing as a nurse, but a friend of an Occupational Therapy student was telling people the student was a graduated Occupational Therapist. The friend is a nurse at my hospital and her student friend is doing her mentoring with one of my daughter's Occupational Therapist!

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