In my current staff nurse RN position my badge says Maggie and underneath my name it says nurse in lower case letters. Not even RN, just 'nurse'. We have several excellent night shift LPNs on Med Surg and my badge is identical to theirs. I don't mean to sound elitist it's just that we are in different roles.
(Please don't dogpile on me for mentioning the LPNs ok? They are my buddies. This is about badges not who is a better nurse.)
At first I thought 'whatever.' The hospital management made a statement that they are opposed to having "cv information" on hospital id badges.
My credentials are BSN, CCRN. My department is MICU.
I'm curious if this is happening in other hospitals because I just dont get it. I dont want the badges to say AA or AS RN, that is unnecessary. But RN would certainly be reassuring to the pts. If I'm sick I would be thankful to see that CCRN or CEN or CNOR on my nurse's badge. It represents competence and a commitment to continuing education.
Mine has my picture on the left, first name on the right, and my department and wing # under my name. In a small bar below it says RN. We also have drop tags with RN in white surrounded by blue. LPNs or any other department don't use those, from what I've seen. Though I have seen a handful of physicians with a drop tag that says physician surrounded in black... wonder if they thought about using a different color for that :-)
When I worked in the hospital, my badge said "RN, BSN" next to my full name and then underneath, it said Staff Nurse- (Department). My current badge just has my name and RN.
Our badges have a big RN piece that sticks out from under the name badge(and the PCAs have "PCA".) After our name, it says "RN" or RN, BSN." I really don't think that's necessary. And I personally wouldn't feel better seeing more credentials after a name because they might be fresh out of school and that lowly ASN might have 30 years experience.
My big beef is I do NOT want my last name on my badge. I've had some scary patients and don't want them finding me ever if they aren't happy that I wouldn't give them 5 sedating IV drugs at the same time.
Specializes in Psych, Peds, Education, Infection Control.
My current badge has my first name, and then "Registered Nurse" typed underneath. We don't use abbreviations on the badges, for transparency, and also because in psych, confused pts/paranoid people who might get agitated by what they see as a conspiracy. Thus, there's "Clinician," "Psychiatrist," "Mental Health Counselor," etc... We're all in business casual anyway. I've seen the hang tags with the position in large letters at a lot of hospitals in the area...
Per the state of California, your credential accronyms have to be on your name tag or if you have an office, on your wall. The customer has a right to know who is serving you. Not sure if this is the same for all states but it should be since we have earned this priviledge.
Currently, first name center and bold, RN in larger block red letters in upper left, full name and credentials in smaller letters below larger first name. Only 'RN' has the Red Letter designation, ostensibly to allow all patients to identify the RN caring for them. The credentials are added only if they fit on the line with your name (I use my initials and last name to fit RN, CCRN. Folks with multiple certifications and relatively long last names....too bad so sad). Note that ED and Psych staff only require their first name, safety cited at this Magnet certified tertiary facility.
I traveled for years and have had multitudes of variations on this theme. I suspect the management's degree of respect for their employees may be reflected in the badge decision, but cannot provide specific evidence.
LOL: I have my initials and my original credential, and my certification embroidered on my scrubs. Causes some insecure professional colleagues angst but I just have to laugh: "D.R. RN, CCRN."
I have worked many different places with all the versions. the last place picture in middle, first name large font, last name very small, hanging card behind longer than ID with Red RN. The reason we were given for not adding credentials was it would make other nurses feel bad because they did not have them. Give me a break, then work for them, learn your art and be proud to display. If you don't choose to obtain them that's cool too. your choice. When I had my credentials and certifications patients would ask and I would tell them what they meant, most enjoyed learning about the skill and achievements of their nurses. When I was an LPN they liked knowing I was very technically skilled in all the tasks that had to be done to them. It is how you present yourself to the patient, your own confidence in yourself.
I'll throw in my two cents! I worked in the Emergency Dept. as a "Tech" through my last year in nursing school. My badge had my picture on the right, GCom24 in the center and underneath it said "PNA" (Professional Nursing Assistant), while the other Techs actually said "ED Tech." Still not sure about why. It had the hospital logo at the top, not overbearingly in my opinion. I am now transitioning into my first RN position, and moving to a Med/Surg floor. My tag now has the same layout but says R.N. and also I have the droptag with RN in white surrounded by a "ceil blue."
Our facility shows credentials, such as BSN, CCRN, etc. I think it is appropriate to list these credentials for patients, but also for colleagues, to read. I just obtained my PCCN and I'm proud of it. I am happy I will be able to wear my certification on my badge. I see no downside to this practice. On the contrary, showing our credentials in this way fosters a culture that values continued learning, which is a hallmark of nursing instilled in me by my nursing school as I'm sure others experienced in their nursing programs. See also statement re public display of certifications..... http://www.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Docs/abnspositionstatement-valueofcert.pdf
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I worked in the Emergency Dept. as a "Tech" through my last year in nursing school. My badge had my picture on the right, GCom24 in the center and underneath it said "PNA" (Professional Nursing Assistant), while the other Techs actually said "ED Tech." Still not sure about why. It had the hospital logo at the top, not overbearingly in my opinion. I am now transitioning into my first RN position, and moving to a Med/Surg floor. My tag now has the same layout but says R.N. and also I have the droptag with RN in white surrounded by a "ceil blue."
EuropaRN
34 Posts
Mine has my picture on the left, first name on the right, and my department and wing # under my name. In a small bar below it says RN. We also have drop tags with RN in white surrounded by blue. LPNs or any other department don't use those, from what I've seen. Though I have seen a handful of physicians with a drop tag that says physician surrounded in black... wonder if they thought about using a different color for that :-)