CNA claims to be a nurse - what to do?

[tinaroselpn]

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?

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I would like the BON decide. If she is giving out nursing education or doing anything a licensed person only should do, then she is dangerous.

[Libby1987]

What would you report? "My ex and daughter tell me she says she's a nurse" ?

Since he's encouraged you to speak with her, that's what I'd be doing at first opportunity. Not necessarily to confront her but to build a good working relationship with an adult who's involved in my daughter's personal life.

And is he asking you to *consult* or just to communicate the medical stuff with her instead of him? I can see my SO doing that, simply defering all things medical through me since HE has less knowledge, not me obviously.

[Gooselady, BSN, RN]

Unless she is lying on the job or to obtain some undeserved authority in her BEHAVIOR as a non nurse, then I'd ignore it. It's none of your business -- in that it's not worth it to you to get yourself all in a twist. Renting head space to people like this ends up making you seethe with resentment when you could otherwise be enjoying your job and family.

If she did say this, the most salient point is that she is a dishonest and arrogant person who sees no problem in claiming authority she does not have. Can you say insecure? Unfortunately (or, fortunately, depending on your outlook) there are no laws against being a jacka*s and a narcissist . Life is too short. You don't need this woman's attention on YOU. A person who lies like this may be very vindictive. The only way I'd intervene is if she attempted to perform in a professional 'role' as a nurse. Nurses are public servants so they do have a public responsibility to be honest, ethical and compassionate in general. Lying to your daughter just means she is a loser, sorry to say. And there is no law against being a loser

[Nibbles1]

I had a cna tell me she was a nurse one morning. I gave her a complete shift change report. When I was leaving, the real nurse walked in. I had that cna fired within 15 minutes.

Honestly you have two options: 1) let it go OR 2) meet with her and pry a little bit.

[klone, MSN, RN]

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 am a nurse

If you are a nurse, why does he think you need to be consulting another "nurse" regarding YOUR daughter's medications?

[klone, MSN, RN]

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

Right, but you said "doctor" (I think you meant physician). Anyone who has a doctorate has earned the right to be called "doctor" - "doctor" is not specific to medical practice.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

You can not report something that you did not hear or witness.

I would ask her nicely where did you go to school and when did you graduate and watch her reaction.

If she is using the title of LPN and practicing nursing without a license, I would caution her, with your ex right there, because he needs to understand that she is a liar, that doing so is a misdemeanor that would wreck any chance of being licensed if she were reported.

Then I would make it clear that my daughter's health matters and medications are between you and your ex and that her involvement is neither wanted nor appreciated.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Op, a little off subject, however, WHY the HECK does it seem like every ex attaches themselves to moonbats to play house with!?!?!?!?! Frustrating, for sure. And to be snarky, my reply would be "then as a-ahem-'nurse'

She can call herself the queen of the may, but the bottom line is that your daughter gets the medication she needs when she needs it. If it is a daily med, is it something that can be put on an IEP for school nurse to give her first thing in the morning? If this is an occasional antibiotic thing, and I do not know how old your daughter is, but can you do a med box for her--one for the morning with breakfast, one at school for lunch with the nurse, and one for bedtime in her bureau at bedside?

Otherwise, it doesn't really matter if the drama that follows is going to make things bad for your kid. And it probably will should you get all involved in this nonsense. You can only teach your daughter to smile and nod and deal directly with her father. And truly to say "Well, this is how this medication is to be now. Otherwise, I will take it under advisement for the future."

You need to be the class act in this, apparently. And yes, he's a big wimp and she obviously has issues. But the focus is on your daughter. Period. Otherwise, they can waddle in their own mud.

[NeoNatMom]

Yes, that's why I mentioned medical and law fields

[tinaroselpn]

• Esme12...I love your post. It is awesome. I will ponder some of the staments you added at the end. What I decided to do was to let them know thru a text that claiming to be a LPN in this state is illegal unless your licensed. What followed was pure comedy. My ex stated that I was making threats to his fiancee. And then follwed with stating that he was going to report me for claiming the same thing. And then blocked me from his phone???? At this point, I laughed and shared the humor with my fellow nurses...... he stated I am not qualified to discuss our daughters meds with the doctor. So, what can I say? All I know is that his fiancée continues to make up stories to claim her "nurse" status. My daughter told me this women claimed her license is under her maden name when my ex confronted her about my findings. Not true either. If this interupts my daughters meds or causes hardship for me I will report her but for now she is just guilty of lying. Not a crime. So we will see. I just think that any 45 year old women who knows she is not a nurse and claims to be and goes to great lengths to keep lying may be dangerous. Especially when she IS a CNA. Sometimes if you give people enough rope, they will eventually hang themselfs.
  

[tinaroselpn]

Macawake....Yes, you are right and thats why I needed an outlet. I just politely let them know that the word nurse is protected in our state and it is illegal to claim it unless you are one. So, I just needed to vent because it is such an insult to have someone claim that only because they have been a cna for over 20 years. I really dont want to met this women nor do I want to ask her about her professional life. So, unless it becomes a hardship for me then I will just keep my eyes and ears open. Thanks for the post. Being a nurse is such an honor I will make sure I do the right thing.

[tinaroselpn]

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

Thank You, thats exactly how I feel.