Why do Nurse's wear there degree on there name badges?

[Medic_Kev]

I have never had anyone give me a straight answear to this question, Why do nurses wear there degree on the badge uniforms? I see few other people in the hospital setting that do it except for nurses, why is this? Is it an ego thing? I would understand if you were qualified for various postions ie RN, EMT-P, RRT, but the whole concept of wearing your degree seems to have a I'm better than you attitude. Personnally myself being a military man I find the postion you hold carries more clout than your degree. I have seen ADN's as Supervisors and MSN's doing floor work. Does the degree vs the certification(CEN,CCN) make a difference? As a pre- hospital care worker when I go in the ER or up to a floor the only thing I ever notice is that the higher the degree the less likely that person is to assist you, not always but more often than not this is the case. I would welcome any feed back on this. Thanks Kev

[RNforLongTime]

Originally posted by Teshiee

I think it is what most say on this thread a pride thing. I am sure many of us work very hard to obtain our credentials why not show them off.

Exactly!

[eagleriver]

Originally posted by imeejon

Good idea eagleriver. so what did you do? Continue to wear,or join the herd?

Our student uniforms have no patches,but they are striped! we just have name badge which says 'student nurse'.Uniforms are not worn on campus,only when we are on practical/clinical placement,which is about 2 thirds of the time in final year.Its handy though,because I do some shifts for an agency,and just wear the student uniform with the agency name badge.

It wouldn't suit you though, as its a dress. Female nurses have the option of tunic and pants,though most don't take it,and I assume the guys have the same option,though I have not yet seen any wearing dresses!

So far, I'm wearing the whites, and probably will until they aren't white any more. I only have to wear them occasionally anyway, 'cause my main job is uniformless...and name tagless! Actually it makes me kinda nervous...these folks might take meds from anybody!! Actually in an Alzheimer's unit, the name tag REALLY makes no difference. Instead, most of the time, the patients respond to kindness, patience and respect. They usually have an instinct for identifying true professionals.

Come to think of it, that's how many patients respond in the non-Alzheimer's world as well.

Any NURSE who expresses integrity and elegant compassion in their work deserves the faith and respect of their patients. I don't think that faith should be conditional - based on whatever they perceive the nurse's credentials to be worth, especially when they are so often not qualified to make such a judgement.

Regardless of whatever badges, patches, bells or whistles a nurse is wearing, it's usually only a matter of a very short time that their worth will be recognized.

[moonrose2u]

why do we wear our credentials on our badges?

because we worked our butts off to earn them....and all the while, losing sleep and meals, missing important dates with our families and friends, suffering anxiety about making the grade, and basically going through hell to "make it"..

that is why we wear them...and proudly so..

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

As a travelor, My OCN status indicates that I have passed a test demonstrating a standard of knowledge regarding Oncology Nursing - it designates in depth interest, also.

[jlc]

I spent 5 hard years earning my BSN. Wrote more papers then I care to remember and took more tests then I care to remember. So I wear the credentials BSN on my ID badge with great pride and a better understanding of my patients and their care. It amazes me that anyone would question my right to acknowledge my achievment, maybe they are just a little intimadated. jj

[renerian, BSN, RN]

For me it is because of the adversity I dealt with getting all three of my degrees. Has nothing to do with ego has to do with the fact I am so proud I could actually do it.

renerian:eek:

[eagleriver]

It's wonderful to be proud of our accomplishments. We can do that even if we aren't wearing anything.

How do we separate pride from ego?

[mattsmom81]

Originally posted by eagleriver

It's wonderful to be proud of our accomplishments. We can do that even if we aren't wearing anything.

How do we separate pride from ego?

I like the way you think, Eagleriver. :)

Being being proud of one's accomplishments is seperate from one's competence as a nurse. RN is good enough to convey that, in my book.

The CCRN is mine...I did that...I'm proud of it, yes, BUT I don't need to display it. I demonstrate it.

But that's just me. Competent is as competent does.

Gotta say this...when I see a nurse who needs to post a gazillion intials on the nametag? I think ego vs pride. I also suspect LSE and am often proven right.

Those who hope more respect comes from more intitials often are disappointed if the self worth isn't there already.

[RN2B2005]

I think we're all missing the point of the original poster's question.

My impression is that he's looking for validation--for someone to say, "Those (BSN, MSN, etc.) nurses are (stuck-up, incompetent, etc.) and you don't need (a 4-year degree, special certification, etc.) to be a good nurse." Perhaps he has the nagging feeling that his "military experience" is not an adequate substitute for classroom education; perhaps he just resents individuals who have worked hard to attain a higher station in life than the one he currently holds. He might find that validation here, but I hope not.

Medic_Kev, the reason nurses (not "nurse's") wear their (not "there") degrees and credentials on their (not "there") badges is to demonstrate to patients and colleagues their (once again, not "there") professional standing.

That, or they're (not "there" OR "their") doing it to demonstrate that they've had the education required to recognise the difference between the possessive and plural forms of a noun, and the ability to differentiate between homonyms.

Oh, and I'm an ADN student, before anyone slams me for being biased.:roll

[frannybee]

Uniforms over here tend to tell more of a story than the name badges pinned to them - in my hospital, if you wear sky blue, you're a Staff Nurse (RN), navy blue = Sister, white with yellow epaulettes = student nurse, dark green = auxilliary nurse, grey and white stripe = specialist nurse etc. I have my first and last names on my badge due to hospital policy, with RN on the end. I would have had my letters added except they were earned in Australia and are not the same as the UK qualifications. I have a BN and WH&SO Level II and am proud of them, but since our patients know that my uniform and the letters 'RN' after my name mean I am qualified to care for them, I'll leave it at that.

[GoodEnuf]

"I would really like to see more emphasis on the need to educate the public about what NURSES DO, and less about the 'need' to educate them about the differing CREDENTIALS."

Yes, I agree with you, mattsmom81. But I believe wearing your credentials allows pt's (or others) to question us about their meaning. That's when we have the opportunity to educate them about the hard training, education, licensing, etc. we all go thru to become nurses as opposed to some fictitious 2 week program with OJT. It not only helps remove stereotypes, but also brings a respect to the profession of nursing.

Another point, why is it we expect and look for credentials from a doctor, but then to some it becomes offensive to see credentials from a nurse?

[eagleriver]

Thanks for your endorsement. It took me a minute to figure out what "LSE" meant.