**Alert**Our Right to Privacy as nurses???

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ICU.

I am not sure if anyone has discussed this before but I think this needs action from us all....

I just went to the Secretary of State website to find out the status of my license and realized I could type a last name of any licensed nurse and find there home address. Give it a try, I could find any of my coworkers old classmates etc... (this is in Ga., I am not sure about other states)

I dont have much of a problem with it because I am a guy and dont think I will be stalked anytime soon but for the 75% of the female nurses out there it is a tragedy waiting to happen.

As nurses, we deal with all sorts of people, both good and bad. I for one do not want my patients having my home address without my knowledge.

I am going to send a letter to the Secretary of State to ensure this matter gets resolved but this is a heads up that I may need your help.

Thanks

Jim

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

In IL - your home address is not listed and you have the option of having your work address listed instead too.

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

Not in CA.

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We have discussed this before on this board. I personally am suprised that a nurse has not been murdered by a stalker by now. It is an incident waiting to happen. A lot of states are no longer doing this because they got complaints.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ICU.

Thanks for the quick replies and I am glad to see it's not in every state.

Jim

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In New York, you can find the city/town we last registered in (presumably town of residence), but that's it.

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.

Just checked for Nebraska, my town and state is listed. Don't know if I like that too much with all of the meth addicted wack-pots I've tended to. Anyone can get on the site. Yikes!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ICU.

I think city and state is a little better but not if your from a town of 1200 folks. Anyway, I think it should just show your name, state, license number and if it is valid or not, any other info needs to be protected.

I am going to start a push in the state of Ga. I have good back up from the people who started the movement that just allowed nurse practitioners to write prescriptions in Ga., just be aware of what your state is doing to you, it could be endangering you and your family.

Thanks and I will keep you all updated.

Jim

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In Michigan, only your name and license number is available on line. No address. However, I only need to know the name of the person I'm looking up, anybody anywhere can look up this info. As far as I'm concerned, only an employer should be able to access this information using your license number, since you do have to provide an employer with that.

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Specializes in LDRP.

In va, you get license number, nearly full name "Jane X. Doe" title (Rn or LPN or whatever else-all licensed health professions can be searched, adn instead of address it has city and zip code only. oh, also, license effective date, expire date, license status (as in active or expired) and a link to any disciplinary action.

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I just checked for Wisconsin, not just my name but others below mine on the list. The only thing listed is the name, city and zipcode. Since both my wife and I work in a mental health setting, only our names are listed in the phone book and every system that purports to give an address only lists the city I live in, not my street address. So, anyone trying to find me has to go to more websites and hope they get successful. It doesn't bother me too much, but then again I'm a 60 year old male. I would probably worry if I was a 30 year old female.

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

Yes, it is a little scary. States do vary - I always use a post office box for mail just for this reason. It is a small price to pay for a little PEACE OF MIND and SECURITY! I don't see a lot of problems with License Numbers and Dates listed, but...

I have no real problem with a system that would make available an address should a request be made in-person (with valid, proper state issued ID), along with written justification of purpose & retention of copy of the requester ID at the BON. Some diligence from the BON in determining "reasonableness" of the request is essential. But, just to have it all out there in cyberspace is a bit alarming!

Good luck in the crusade - !

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