upset about title

[nurse4theplanet]

I recently took a job at a local hospital as an intern and spoke with a new grad who told me that her title for her first year (as stated on her name badge) is not RN, but CNR-clinical nurse resident. After a year of experience, it is then changed to RN. I am not sure why this is done, how long they have been doing it, and plan to ask for more info from my manager...but it bothers me. You work so hard to earn the title of RN, I just don't feel that they should have the right to decide to call you by another title. Is that silly?

[Elisheva]

I'd ask for the hospital for the state nursing guidelines for safe practice for those holding the title of "clinical nurse resident". Are you covered under your license as a "CNR" - whatever the heck that is?

I wouldn't let the hospital get away with that. You have a legal responsibility and legal standards of practice as an RN. Has someone else defined the standards of the CNR?

BS.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Hopefully, after reading all these responses to your query, you're taking this issue further up the food chain.

I am an RN licensed and registered in the State of New York. You want me to wear a (smaller) button in addition to my properly designated name badge that says I'm in their residency program? Sure. You want me to replace MY legal credentials with a made-up term the hospital likes? Stick it.

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

The CNR wouldn't bother me quite so much - sorta like having a provisional driving license - giving you an excuse not to know quite as much as an experienced RN for a while. NOT that I condone it but purely from a "devils advocate" point of view!

But that's exactly my point, if the rationale is to denote one's lack of experience, yet you are held to the same legal and professional standards as a more experienced RN...then what's the point of changing my title...which is given by the state BON...NOT the hospital.

Like one person said in another post, perhaps a "new team member" pin or something like that would be more appropriate...I don't have a problem with others knowing that I am a new grad/inexperienced. I DO have a problem with my title which I worked so hard to earn, being stripped away by an institution which should not have a legal right to do so.:mortarboard:

Anyhow, I only took this job for extra income and to compare it to the facility that I already work in before I make my final decision. This is just ONE issue I have with this particular hospital, and I am not sure if I will work there after graduation.

I am relieved that others feel similar to how I feel...at first I wondered if I was just being too sensitive, and now I don't feel like my thoughts are so irrational. I work there tomorrow and I plan to ask the manager about the policy. I'll post an update about what she says.

[truern]

I'm a new grad that recently passed the NCLEX-RN. My name tag says "XXXXXX XXX, RN" followed by Staff Nurse, Fellow. I'm being precepted in the Fellowship Program, but I AM a RN and am identified as such.

You earned it, you deserve it! NO WAY would I let that fly

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

What State are you in? Have you looked at the NPA of your State to see if you have some law to back you up when you talk w/ your manager about it?

I would think that most States REQUIRE that your badge identifies you as an RN.

This was addressed a few years ago in most States when hospitals were trying to blur the lines between nurses and UAPs.

Shoot, tell me what State you're in and I'll look it up for you.

~faith,

Timothy.

[Patti 2nd gen RN]

The hospital is dead worng--you earned it, you are held accountable, you deserve to wear it. If for some crazy reason you do take this demeaning job--please, wear a separate pin that says RN on it---we can wear lttle angels, ribbons for breast cancer etc, why not find a way to stand up for yourself--and DO look into it legally in your state.

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

Spoke with the HR dept...The Clinical Nurse Resident is beneath your name which is followed by RN, and you sign your name RN. That puts my mind at ease.

[ZASHAGALKA, RN]

Spoke with the HR dept...The Clinical Nurse Resident is beneath your name which is followed by RN, and you sign your name RN. That puts my mind at ease.

Better, but I'd still go out of my way to refer to myself as an RN. CNR is merely an internal hospital designation, and it is NOT your official title.

Do always identify yourself as an RN and ignore the CNR 'designation'.

And I still think that I'd demand that they remove such nonsense or find someone else willing to play.

~faith,

Timothy.

[nurseingrid]

i personally would not havetaken the job and politely would havetoldthem i did not want to work there and why. No one is going to hold me back but me...i'm better than that....good luck

[James Garrity, BSN, RN]

I have been a Vet tech for 16 years,and was treated like the stuff I had to scoop up off the floor for about 10 years.Then I went to school and got my degree in animal husbandry/veternary care of animals.and became a Licenced Vet tech.,about4 years of school.I still got treated like the stuff I scooped up off the floor,and was given as much respect as the people the hire off the street and called "vet tech" that is to say, none.So,I said forget this! and decided on becoming a RN,in my case,a 4 year program for a BSN.It has been very hard work with a ton of study getting to the point where I can call my self a Regestered Nurse.

My point is this,and maybe I feel this way due to the fact I am male,but where ever I go to work,my name tag will have my name followed by RN,BSN.and I expect to be treated and refered to as such,I don't care what there policy is.

In my opinion,it is micky mouse crap like this that keep nurses from being given the full profesional respect we deserve,if it starts with your title,how long before they will be asking you to re-stock rest rooms or emptying trash bins.If this is how they want to play,I would look for a new play ground

Just my opinion,Regards to all

[mpearlrn]

Legally, you are an RN, once you take and pass your state board exam. Before you are allowed to take that exam you are required to pay your initial nursing license fees to your state's nursing board. The hospital does not have the legal right to remove RN from your title, and this could be seen as the misleading and fraudulent representation of licensed registered nurses. Your facility sounds like it is misrepresenting their new RN's as something less than their legally designated level of education and licensure, a fraudulent action. Check your state regulations for your nursing board's view of this practice. If you are an RN, your nametag should clearly state that you are an RN, not a clinical nurse resident. Adding an additional title to indicate that you are in your initial period of post-licensure employment experience would be the more appropriate approach. The hospital does not have the legal right to designate you as something less than a registered nurse. I am willing to wager that the hospital's attorney will be interested in reviewing their current policy.

[emmalou*]

Over here in Australia, a large private health provider has changed the title from RN to caregiver's. I agree that we work so hard to get through nursing school and get our liscence that it is degrading to be acknowledged as a 'caregiver' and not a RN. We do other things beside's provide 'care'!!!!!

I'm from Australia - Queensland. Can I ask what state you live in? I've been nursing for ten years and have never heard of this, it sounds really dodgy! Although private hospitals in Australia do seem to be getting away with more and more, usually in the name of money.

Cheers