Is it okay for a CNA to call herself a nurse?

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.

So I just got off the phone with my best friend, who is a RN in another state. She said that a CNA on the floor tells the patients she's a nurse. My friend said today was the last straw when she overheard the patient who sounded upset ask to speak to a nurse and the CNA said, "I am a nurse." I dont know the full details because I wasnt there, and Im trying to get her to join allnurses.com (maybe one day). Apparently, when she approached the CNA about this, she got defensive and my best friend was just trying to tell her that it would be more appropriate to tell the patients she is an aid and not a nurse, which offended the CNA because she said that she is a nurse (or they all are nurses - something like that). Anyhow, I just wanted to know you guys perspective on this, I know a couple CNAs who call themselves nurses (I mean I have a cousin who has nurse as her job on fb and she is a CNA), but this is different because its occurring in the field, not just in random conversation or on social sites. Is this a big deal? I personally think my best friend handled it the best she could (even though she said the CNA didnt seem to change her mind on the issue). I dont know if there is anymore she can do, should she just let this one ride?:nurse:

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

No it is not legal for a CNA to call herself a nurse.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

Nope, never an Ok thing to do

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

no, this is never okay. it would probably be a good idea if your friend reported this.

just think... what would happen if you said you were a doctor? you'd be in big doo-doo!

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Specializes in OB, OR.

I have deep respect for CNA's...I AM a CNA. but they are NOT nurses. I finish RN school in two weeks, and believe me, CNA training is not even a dot on the map of being equivalent. She should be reported to the supervisor.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

It's more than just not "ok", it's illegal to represent yourself as a nurse if you are not.Nurse is a legally protected title.

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NO, NO, NO, NO , NO. This person is mis-representing themselves as a licensed professional while not holding that license. This is illegal. What is worse, she is giving pts. the wrong information about herself and leading pts. to believe she is capable of helping them in ways she cannot. This is very unprofessional and not ok. EVER

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.

Yes, my friend was charge today. She was so frustrated when she called me (I guess from the CNAs attitude) that she probably hadnt really thought it through. Im going to text her and suggest she speak to the NM, if she hasnt already (which she really could have, but she just wanted to vent and was upset at the time) even I didnt think of the legalities, THANKS!!!

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Specializes in family practice.
no, this is never okay. it would probably be a good idea if your friend reported this.

just think... what would happen if you said you were a doctor? you'd be in big doo-doo!

its more like physician assistants calling themselves doctors. they are assistants. i'm not sure if its the way they teach them in school. until this cna can perform all the duties of a nurse including assessment, teaching and all, she has no right to call herself a nurse.

one reason i blame for this is allowing them to wear scrubs, they now think they are nurses

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Specializes in LTC/hospital, home health (VNA).

I worked hard to get an RN behind my name. Nursing school is hard - full of tears, challenges, sweat, sleepless nights. When, and if, you succeed..you have earned every penny, heartache ...as well as knowledge and pride that comes with it. So, yes, it's not legal to call yourself a nurse when you are not. But for me, it is more about someone who has not done what I have to earn that privilege, trying to take advantage of it wrongly. A CNA is an important part of the health care team, but they are a nursing assistant, not a nurse. Just my :twocents:

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Not to pick hairs, but some people do hold nursing licenses, either in their state, or from another entity, but work as a CNA. In that situation they technically are also a nurse, but they are not working in that capacity, and should make that fact very clear when doing their job as a CNA. For that matter, it is not something that should be a topic of conversation with the patients they take care of in the role of a CNA. Confusing and probably inappropriate to the situation.

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Its more like Physician assistants calling themselves doctors. they are assistants. I'm not sure if its the way they teach them in school. Until this CNA can perform all the duties of a nurse including assessment, teaching and all, she has no right to call herself a nurse.

One reason I blame for this is allowing them to wear scrubs, they now think they are nurses

While I agree that physician assistants should not call themselves doctors, they are NOT "assistants"- certainly not on the level of a CNA calling herself a "nurse".

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