CNA claims to be a nurse - what to do?

Nurses Relations

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  1. What would you hear that a family friend is claiming to be LPN and they are believing her.

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I joined this forum simply because I am so upset with someone saying they are a nurse but according to the state they are not. In other words, they are a wanna be nurse. I dont know what to do about this but I am furious about it. I dont think that being a CNA for 20 years allows you the right to just call yourself an LPN! I worked too hard to be a real LPN. What to do about this? I don't personally know her but my daughter told me that this lady told her she was a nurse, when my daughter asked, "What kind?" She replied,"LPN". I have looked her up on the state web site a hundred different ways and it always comes up CNA. This is just scarey. She does work in health care but I dont know if I should report something like that. Others have told me that she has claimed to be a nurse. Not according to the state web site. What to do?

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Being a CNA for 20 years and currently having a manger position with home health does not constitute someone claiming to friends and family that she is a nurse. She might actually bei g telling clients that to. She actually told my daughter that she was an LPN!!!! I have looked her up a million differnt ways and each time it comes up as CNA. What to do? I am so angry because being a nurse is not that simple. And I believe what she is doing is illegal.

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To her own friends and family?

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A CNA who is a "manager in home health"? Manager of what?

And, as Libby asked....WHO is she telling she is a nurse? If it's to patients, people who are looking to her for care, then that's something you should report to the BoN for investigation. CNAs are typically covered by the State Department of Health, though, and I'd think I'd notfy them too.

While the title 'Nurse' is legally protected in MOST States, it isn't in EVERY State, so you should look at your own Nurse Practice Act to find out your situation. If it's protected, then do what I just described. If it's not.....nothing you can do, other than to tell whoever is over HER head that it's inappropriate and could leave the company liable for anything stupid she does or says as a 'nurse'. Oh, and then lobby your State government to get that protection put in place :)

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Ifnshe is saying the words, "i am a nurse" then it wouldnt hurt to bring up how that is against the law. Approach the situation kindly, but let that person know how serious that it. It is the same as claimig to be an officer or a doctor when you are not. Its serious business.

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Thank you for the comments. What happened here was that my daugnters father was telling me that his new girlfriend is a nurse and I should be consulting her when talking about medications for our daughter. I know she is not a nurse because he had mentioned this to me like a hundred times before so I looked her up and she is only listed as a CNA. What bothers me alot is that when my daughter asked her what type of nurse she is she replied, "LPN". I have not met her but I am so irritated that she is claiming to be a nurse when the state of Florida clearly is not aware of this. And I am concerned that she is working as a nurse due to her manager status in her company. I don't care to much what my ex claims....but when she is telling people she is a LPN, is really scarey to me. Who does that? I dont know how serious this is in florida but I agree with Neonatmom. However, I don't think I will confront her due to the drama that will follow for me. I am a nurse and I worked really hard and continue to be very safe reguarding my skills. That is what really gets me.

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I am going to take your advise. Thanks for the info.

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Ifnshe is saying the words, "i am a nurse" then it wouldnt hurt to bring up how that is against the law. Approach the situation kindly, but let that person know how serious that it. It is the same as claimig to be an officer or a doctor when you are not. Its serious business.

Not Illegal to call oneself a Doctor, Just as long as you don't practice medicine or give Medical Advice.

As far as officer, Legal to use.....

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

IN the state of Florida......it is illegal to use the title nurse unless you are educated and licensed to do so....

Florida

Title 32. Regulation of Professions and Occupations Chapter 464. Nursing. Part 1. Nurse Practice Act Fla. Stat. 464.016 (2002)

464.016. Violations and Penalties

Each of the following acts constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083:

(a) Using the title "Nurse", "Registered Nurse", "Licensed Practical Nurse", "Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner", or any other name or title which implies that a person was licensed or certified as same, unless such person is duly licensed or certified.

464.015 (6) (7) (8) (2007)

© Only persons who hold valid certificates to practice as clinical nurse specialists in this state may use the title "Clinical Nurse Specialist" and the abbreviation "CNS".

(d) Only persons who hold valid certificates to practice as certified registered nurse anesthetists in this state may use the title "Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist" and the abbreviations "CRNA" or "nurse anesthetist".

(e) Only persons who hold valid certificates to practice as certified nurse midwives in this state may use the title "Certified Nurse Midwife" and the abbreviations "CNM" or "nurse midwife".

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OP, I see you've added a poll, but.....I don't understand what you are asking!

If you are asking if you should report illegal behavior, then YES, you should. If you are unsure if illegal behavior is occuring, that's another matter. You've said only that this person (your ex's girlfrirend) has told your daughter she is an LPN and that your ex also believes she is one. Ok....so tell your ex that you don't think she is, and ask more questions....and tell your daughter the same.

For what it's worth, members here have told many stories about family who believe them to be nurses when they are nursing AIDES, even when they have been corrected. People sometimes just hear what they want to hear. Heck, my grandpa used to call whoever had been assigned by the HHA to bring him supplies a nurse! THOSE people weren't even aides, but.....nope, all "nurses" in his mind.

Honestly, unless you have PROOF that she is actually telling people she is a nurse (AND you have proof that she is not), you don't have much to go with here.

I'm the first to stand up and demand the head of someone who is fraudulently misrepresenting oneself as a licensed nurse, when that isn't the case. But in THIS case.....are you 100% sure of what is actually occuring? Because it doesn't really sound like it.....?

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What happened here was that my daugnters father was telling me that his new girlfriend is a nurse and I should be consulting her when talking about medications for our daughter. I know she is not a nurse because he had mentioned this to me like a hundred times before so I looked her up and she is only listed as a CNA. What bothers me alot is that when my daughter asked her what type of nurse she is she replied, "LPN". I have not met her but I am so irritated that she is claiming to be a nurse when the state of Florida clearly is not aware of this. And I am concerned that she is working as a nurse due to her manager status in her company. I don't care to much what my ex claims....but when she is telling people she is a LPN, is really scarey to me.

If I understand you correctly your ex has told you that his new girlfriend is a nurse and your daughter (a child/minor?) has told you that the woman has told her that she's a nurse.

You've never met this woman or personally heard her claim to be a nurse?

It may not be fair or accurate, but if someone were to accuse an ex-partner's new partner of wrongdoing a part of me would probably be thinking "hell hath no fury". I'm not saying that this is the case, but I think it's better that any criticism of a person's professional conduct comes from someone who actually interacts with this individual in a professional context and who's actually heard her misrepresent herself or been told by a patient or other relevant party that such an action has taken place.

If it were me, I'd leave it be and let her employer and/or coworkers confront her and take the necessary action if she makes this claim in a professional setting, i.e. deceives a patient under her care.

Also, if it were me I'd ask my ex why I should consult his new partner on your daughter's medications? You are a nurse yourself and if you need any advice or help

I assume you'd consult your daughter's physician/medical provider? Is there any chance that your ex is trying to stir up trouble/get a reaction from you by saying

these things?

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Not Illegal to call oneself a Doctor, Just as long as you don't practice medicine or give Medical Advice.

As far as officer, Legal to use.....

This may not be the case everywhere, but as far as i know it is illegal to claim being licence in any area of law or medical fields when you arent. Calling yourself a nurse is a crime, no less

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