Definition of the word nurse

[Destiny'skid]

Ok so I am going to probably cause a huge reaction here but I am genuinely curious about this. As a nursing student and current cna/med aide I have heard nurses talking about the trouble with patients and family calling techs,aides, even kitchen or housekeeping staff "nurse". I understand why after having gone thru a rigorous schooling program they would be defensive of there prifession. Let me add right here that I have never once claimed to be nurse and if people ask me I correct them. Today curiosity sparked me to look up the word nurse in the dictionary. It said someone who is trained to care for the sick or infirmed, or for young children. (as a wet or dry nurse).

Wouldn't this definition include unlicensed care givers? I remember years ago when my exhusband was very ill and the doctor was showing me how to care for his wound he I believe called me his nurse.

The difference seems the term liscense or registered. It seems it would be wrong to call someone a registered nurse but the term nurse actually seems to be by definition a much looser term. Infant I found out on uk they refer to aides sometimes as auxiliary nurses.

Again I have not nor will I claim to be a nurse till I graduate I am just curious. Perhaps we need a new term for rn's that sets them apart more as medical professionals...

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

"Nurse" is a protected title in most states. This is not to protect the nurse; it is to protect the public from someone claiming to be a nurse, but who isn't. If someone represents themselves as a professional nurse, but isn't licensed or registered as such, then they are misleading the patient, and that is illegal. You stated you are a nursing student, and a CNA/Med aide. Ask your human resource manager or nursing school instructor about it, if it is still unclear.

[MunoRN, RN]

I think you missed the rest of Webster's definition:

"a person who cares for the sick or infirm; specifically : a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health"

[jdhenson]

This is why most state boards have a list of nurse imposters on their websites. To protect the public. Definitely the term nurse is meant for a licensed professional, and no auxiliary person should allow anyone to believe they are a nurse. I've also noticed most institutions have instituted labeling badges in large bold letters the title of the employee.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

As a verb, one can participate in the act of nursing ie: nursing someone back to health. To call someone a nurse as in a noun, this refers to a licensed professional.

Other disciplines may have state sanctioned certifications. Even a certificate number with a state. However, this doesn't make them a nurse. Even though the activities that they may participate in could be considered nursing someone in the simplest terms.

The lines are blurred, as more and more auxillary staff are taking on the roles that were once a role reserved for a nurse. Including that of a medication aide. A medication aide that just watches someone take pills from a pre-poured box is one thing, however, a number of aides also dispense medication. Hence the confusion for some.

Bottom line is that the term "nurse" is protected. It would be akin to a nurse practioner stating that he/ she is a doctor, as in an MD.

He/she may be a doctor of nursing practice, but not a medical doctor. Two different things, both providing practioner level care.

Blurred lines and public perception......

[RNperdiem, RN]

I decided to give my sick kid some over-the-counter medicine. I diagnosed and treated him, but wouldn't call myself doctor.

[Destiny'skid]

Yes and as I stated before this question was never about me not knowing what to call myself I NEVER refer to myself as a nurse it,just seems that according to popular culture nurses were one a broad catagory of caregivers or the word nurse originally was a very general term, that did not necessarily have any relation to medicine as with a nurse maid.

I think jade lpn really explained it well thank you !

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I decided to give my sick kid some over-the-counter medicine. I diagnosed and treated him, but wouldn't call myself doctor.

True, but you practiced medicine on him....

All about the nouns and verbs.....

And I hope your child is feeling better.