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.
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?

That's a shame because if they were hit with a stiff financial penalty maybe they would wise up and stop dangerously imitating nurses.

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Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

I have to say, when I was a PCA while in nursing school, I was always very careful that they knew I was the assistant to the nurse. I even took some time to explain to a mom who was a little confused as to the differences in all the positions, what exactly was different between a PCA, an RN, an NNP, etc.

And I have to say, now that I have my license and am practicing, there is definitely a pride that comes when I can say that I'm the nurse that will be caring for your child today. Or that I'm an RN. Ahh, us silly new grads *LOL*

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Specializes in med/surg/ortho.

Dont forget good old 'sleep acne'. Yep. Waking herself up during the night because she stopped breathing several times. I thought she meant she broke out while sleeping;)

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One place I worked, the administrator referred to the OR techs as scrub NURSES. It really made us nurses feel like nothing special on nurse's day when all the OR techs got gifts as well as the nurses & ward clerks!! (never mind that they were recognized on their own 'special' days as well-- which WE were not a part of!!) Is it any wonder they have a constant turnover at that place? Talk about a lack of professional respect!!

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.

I'm an LVN in Calif, and the school districts here won't hire a "nurse", unless they are LVN or RN.

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Specializes in med surg, geriatrics, peds.

I worked to hard to get my license, it really makes me mad when I hear people in my community ask a lady that works under a doctor's supervision- no nursing school or boards- what she thinks about a situation or condition. I want to scream She's not a nurse!! What is worse is she has no people skills either.

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That is a comment I would expect to hear for a child.

"Mommy! I'm gonna be a Nurse today and I got the wingworm!" :uhoh3:

I didn't even think they could hire CNAs as a school "nurse". I was always under the impression that the school nurse was, in fact, a nurse!

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My doctors office has a machine that says press "1" to get directed to triage nurse. Gee I know for a fact that the LPN that worked there quit 6 months ago. They have regular receptionists triaging these calls. Is'nt that a little misleading???

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The only people I usually encounter this from is my patients: "I'm a nurse too" they tell me a lot. I open up their chart to find they are/were a nurse's aide or an orderly. It doesn't bother me, other than I feel sad for them that in their mind, what they were wasn't enough. It really was. Good nursing assistants are worth their weight in gold.

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Wow! I would be all over this one. This person thinks she is a nurse. She should not be Dx'ing anyone. She is not qualified to come to such conclusions(let alone the incorrect Dx). In fact, nurses can't even make Medical Dx. Be sure you follow-up on this one for the safety of other children.:uhoh3:

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I have had similar situations at my work. CNA's will tell people they are the nurse. This makes me mad, partly because people will tell their nurse things they will not tell a CNA. They think they are talking to a nurse. It is not that I think I am better but the patient needs to know when they are really talking to a nurse. I am new to the facility so I have not said anything. I will soon enough.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
The only people I usually encounter this from is my patients: "I'm a nurse too" they tell me a lot. I open up their chart to find they are/were a nurse's aide or an orderly. It doesn't bother me, other than I feel sad for them that in their mind, what they were wasn't enough. It really was. Good nursing assistants are worth their weight in gold.

I had a similar situation, CNAs telling others that they are nurses. What I think is happening in that case is that the CNAs are treated as the bottom of the of the nursing hierarchy...usually in disdain and disrespect. Since I became a nurse, I have been even more cognizant of the value of a dedicated CNA. I believe they deserve just as much respect.

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