Non-Nurses calling themselves a Nurse

Nurses General Nursing

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The school district my child goes to has a CNA in the school clinic, who refers to herself as "The school Nurse". I thought she was either an LVN or RN until last week when she had me come pick up my child from school. She had a little nausea but, she said she needed to stay out for two days due to a small rash on her face that she diagnosed as "Wingworm"! She told me to get an over-the-counter anti-fungal and treat for two days when she would be allowed to return to school! (I think that is practicing medicine w/o a license?!) I asked did she mean ringworm-she said no, wingworm...so, I had her write that down on the standard form they use when children are sent hm. Maybe the school board is exempt from following the law?!

Well, I took her to our family Doctor who said, she doesn't have ringworm-it's impetigo and prescribed bactriban.

My beef is that the teachers even refer to her as the school nurse-I wonder if

they even know the difference between an LVN or RN and a CNA? I sent a letter to the Assistant Superintendant for the district but, have not heard a reply. I think I am no different than most of you who have worked hard for your RN or LVN license and earn the respect of being called a "Nurse". I was a CNA before I was an LPN and have now been an RN over 20 yrs. As a CNA, I knew my place and my limits of practice. Any other parent or Nurse concerned about this?:nono:

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
Your son's principal has earned the right to the title "Doctor" as an academic title. There's really no equivalent in nursing, EXCEPT for a doctorate in nursing. So, I'd ask to be "Mrs. Dub" if that's the case, or "Ms. Dub", and leave the nurse part out of the equation.

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

the nurses in my children's districts are rn's, my older daughter always gets what is going around. i know this b/c my daughter told her i was in nursing school and we talked about it when i picked her up. i have never told anyone i am a nurse b/c i am not. i will not be a nurse until i graduate and pass the exam. shame on her

Specializes in Interdisciplinary documentation, regs.

Not able to do that here in Missouri. It is considered misrepresentation. It is in the Nurse Practice Act. I have to be licensed in Missouri to represent myself as a nurse.

I also agree with telling people I am an RN. I think they get confused if we do not identify ourselves. To most patients all women are nurses and the men are doctors. Crazy but true

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
Ok, I have a slight tangent here: my son's principal has a PhD and insists on being addressed as "Doctor". I'll do that and jump through her hoop, but what should I have her call me? Nurse Dub? Sister Dub? Matron?

Help me out here...

Have them call you whatever you feel is appropiate, proper, and respectfull

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
None of my kids have ever had a nurse there, they have something called a "health tech" whatever that is. Well, I guess they do have a visiting RN that visits schools in the districts to do hearing screens and I don't know what else...

This is why I no longer refer to myself as a "nurse", whenever I am asked what I do, or about my job, I describe myself as an RN or Registered Nurse. I find that just saying "nurse" could be just about anything nowadays.

I tell them Im a golfer

Specializes in ICU, Tele, M/S, Psych, Rehab.

To-Roy F.

I was the person who originally posted this message-it was concerning Nursing Assistants calling themselves "Nurses" which they are not. They don't have the education to do a Nursing assessment or receive verbal doctor's orders in case of emergency. Fortunately, no emergency in my daughter's case but, a potential concern(see original post).

(I posted this recently on a similar thread)

I just did a quick and dirty internet search on nurse as a protected title. It looks like it's regulated state by state. It looks like California passed legislation in 1999 on it and Colorado did in 2004. I didn't check for all 50 states but a few others didn't generate any hits in my short search.

Specializes in ICU, Tele, M/S, Psych, Rehab.

non-nurses calling themselves nurses

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Concerning the CNA at my child's school....

Yes, she admininisters meds to kids at school as long as they have a perscription bottle labeled appropriately! Don't know about insulin or special need students-that REALLY concerns me! Is she administering sliding scale insulin?! Don't know?! A child is not aloud to self-administer even a cough drop without her permission. Who gives her these assessment rights w/o the proper level of education?

Can't find a district Nurse listed ANYWHERE on the Lancaster ISD website or internet! She might be certified in 1st aide by red cross and cpr certified but, that still doesn't make her a "Nurse". If an emergency was to occur-how could she take a verbal order from the medical director of the district? That's not within her scope of practice! I think the school districts that are lower income are trying to cut corners and hope nothing happens!

Jane

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
(I posted this recently on a similar thread)

I just did a quick and dirty internet search on nurse as a protected title. It looks like it's regulated state by state. It looks like California passed legislation in 1999 on it and Colorado did in 2004. I didn't check for all 50 states but a few others didn't generate any hits in my short search.

You just didn't get hits on all states.;)

It states clearly in the NPA of my state (AR):

a -1- It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to:

(D) - Use in connection with his or her name any of the following titles, names, or initials, if the user is not properly licensed under the chapter:

i - Nurse

Specializes in ICU, Tele, M/S, Psych, Rehab.

I'm the person who originally posted this-seen many deviations from the original topic. I used to be a CNA and a LPN and can relate to those issues.

I also happen to have an Excellent CMA at our family doctor's office, she is GREAT with my daughter, very professional but, also refers to herself as Dr T."s assistant. She is very professional and is skilled in areas I am not-even as an RN-I don't draw blood on regular basis, I don't do strep tests. I've worked in the hospital environment mostly over the last 22 yrs. I applaud CNA's, CMA's, LPN's/LVN's, as well as students working on their education!!

That's how it is here in Florida also. They have regular, non-medically educated, people working in the clinics. They do not want to pay the salary of a LPN or RN. They get away with it. It's not right.:o

Specializes in ER.

In NM, it is unlawful to call yourself a nurse if you are not an RN or LPN/LVN. Who prosecutes this though, its not like you call the cops and point the finger?

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