But she's not a nurse!

Nurses General Nursing

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I just started a new position running a clinic. The clinic is staffed by myself and one CNA. I am so happy to be working with this CNA as she has over 15 years experience working in this clinic and is a wealth of knowledge and help to me. I adore her. She is very nice and cooperative. I only have one problem with the entire situation. Everyone who comes to the clinic calls her, Nurse Judy. All of the employee handouts and printed information and brochures have her listed as Nurse Judy. They have me listed as Nurse Diane. As if we were one in the same. I am a RN and of course her supervisor. She is 20 years my senior and I really do have alot of respect for her. I just can't live with her using the Nurse designation. I know it is against the law and I'm thinking that is the angle I will try and to set the record strait. Other people who work in the company would never let thier assistants be called thier own professional titles. All of the other staff are non medical. They have worked with Judy for years, they trust her and love her. Any ideas on how to handle this?

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

The fact is that referring to her as a nurse is unethical. I am tired of people equating aides as nurses. It makes you better understand why people don't want to be a nurse.

Would we accept a surgery tech. doing open heart? Would we allow a legal secretary to try a case because there is no difference between he/r and the lawyer. Would we permit the court bailiff to judge a case? And a sillier analogy, would we transplant an aorta instead of a heart (after all, it is associated with the heart - can't they do the same job)?

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

http://www.nursingworld.org/gova/titlepro.htm

Check out this list. Dennie you may have been given the wrong information.

It sucks but people dont really know what a nurse is. Nurse Judy probable really thinks she is a nurse.

I had an elderly man from my church tell me that I should not be a nurse becuase "there are so many". He says "everythime I go to the lab to get my blood drawn 1 nurse checks me in another draws my blood and I see them all over" The worst part was when he said " Heck when I was in the hospital they even had nurses mopping the floors and cooking in the kitchen"

he obviously mistakes people wearing scrubs for nurses but this is what people think.

I would'nt make her change her tittle I think it would tax your realationship with her, the doctor, the staff and the patients way to much. I think that adding the designatons behind your names is a good idea "Nurse Judy CNA" She might even like that makes her sound more offical.

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

How about contacting the Legal Nursing Department at your State Board of Nursing for that state and ask them how the situation is supposed to be addressed where you work. Afterall.....that's why that department exist at our BONs....so take advantage of it. At least you'll know what is and what isn't appropriate in regards to the situation you are in. You should want to know if you can be held responsible for "Nurse Judy's" actions or not to protect your own license. Have the BON fax the doctor you work for the laws regarding what he seems to allow his staff being referred as and they will warn him, or say, it's okay, or whatever. That should be the first place you go for help. Let us know. :)

First of all I have worked with several exceptional CNA's that the patients have referred to as, "Nurse"... It has always been more of an endearing term and "No" I would never correct them nor did I feel resentment towards them. It's not like they applied for a job, portraying themselves as a "Nurse". If you have that much of a problem with it then why can't you just have R.N. added to your name and suggest they add her title to her name, (CNA). I mean what does her title stand for, Certified Nurse Assistant.... So they left a few words out in the brochures... this is not a big deal!

Will you also be running around the clinic correcting everyone who calls her 'nurse judy'?

From what you say she is committed to the clinic, to the people, a joy to work with, she's been there twenty years for God's Sake!

Have you thought about how much you are going to bruise her ego when you push this issue... Do you really think it's worth it?

You said, "I just can't live with her using the Nurse designation"

It sounds to me like the 'nurse' part of nurse judy is more of an endearment...

I wouldn't want to be in the position of having to strip nurse judy of her 'nurse' title.

It's not you who is breaking the law, (if any law is being broken) and I really think you are going to have problems if you push the issue! You say everybody there loves her...

She's given twenty years of her life to this place and is still "loved"... She's doing something right!

Just have your RN added to your name and let 'nurse judy' continue to do what she obviously does so well, being 'nurse judy'.

Originally posted by P_RN

Grrrrrr.

My sentiments exactly.

Heather

i personally can not stand when a MA or CNA allows patients to call them a nurse. that is false representation. and if the person thinks they are a nurse then they are assuming they are licensed and qualified to give such info. I am often called doctor by my patients but i promptly correct them even if i have to do it ever time i enter the room. the MA's and CNA's should be just as responsible.

and the doctors are just as much to blame they hire people and dress them as nurses and mislead the public into thinking they are. I had that experience with my wifes ob/gyn her aid calls are introduces her self as dr so and so's nurse. I always correct her but i am sure it will do little good. if she wants to be called nurse let her go to school for 2 to 4 yrs and endure all the stress and training it takes to be a nurses andd pass boards then i will gladly call her nurse!

I also work in an office with some MA's. Actually, in most states it is illegal for non-licensed personnel to represent themselves as such. On the other hand, I have to agree with some of the others. If she's been there 20 years and is a good co-worker, is it worth the bad feelings to make a big deal? Maybe just make sure that your nametag says "RN, BSN" behind your name.

Good Luck!

I think it's a compliment to us nurses when MA's or CNA's like to THINK of themselves as nurses. They feel that the title "Nurse" brings with it a sense of accomplishment and respect (which it most certainly does!!!!)

BUT....

I also think it is not right. If I know as much as a doctor(maybe this is a bad example:)), do I allow my patients to call me "doctor" unknowingly, maybe b/c we all DO look the same in scrubs?

If you are a nurse you are a nurse, and the sme goes for all the other professions. I understand your frustration. I'm with the above posters who say to tell the docs its not legal...

I always correct people who call me a nurse. I studied appropriately for my certification and am and aide. When i have finished my studies and have become licensed as a nurse, the i will be a nurse and will be entitled to be called one! Why would i want to be called something im not. In that sense all of this bickering over titles that goes on is ridiculous, we all care for the pt just at different levels. and we should be proud of what we do and if we want to do more we should be willing to pay the price that goes with earning that title.

I would say definitely have "nurse judy" removed from any brochures or printed information but the people who actually call her that, I don't know, I guess I would let that continue to happen...it's kinda like a nickname, ya know? As long as she isn't using "RN" --that's when it would have to get nasty:( . Good luck to you and let us know how things turn out.

I looked up the definition of 'nurse'... someone who is trained to provide care... And just to add to my last post, if she is actually portraying herself to be a nurse, (LPN/RN) then no, it is not right. I do however believe the word nurse can carry many letters behind it. LPN RN CFNP etc... Be proud of what you are!

Would a Rose by any other name still smell as sweet...

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