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

Nurses General Nursing

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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

Originally posted by BrandyBSN

Degree Diff is $1.50 an hour here for a BSN. Its not just nurses that shoudl have their degree on the badges, its Docs too! We have a lot of DOs here, and a couple MDs, and they have their degree after their name. and believe me, i have had MANY patients inquire about what my educational history is, and what I have done in school besides nursing.

Physicians in this area do not have their degree listed on the name tag and neither do nurses. It is uncommon to see patients ask what a nurse's education is and again having a BSN does not ensure safe patient care. Many times patients do not know the difference between the LPN/RN since many of our duties are the same and think of us all as just nurses. We must all follow hospital policies and procedures to ensure that the patient receives the best care and this is an inner responsiblity that RNs/LPNS/CNAs must have. It isn't something you learn from a book. What is more important is that nurses continue to keep learning through new experiences, other staff, and continuing eduation courses.

Thank God my hospital puts the degrees on the badges, so I would never have to worry about this. Its important to me! personally, if I was sick, and the many times I have been to the hospital as a patient, i DO care what degree my nurse has. Not because the BSN is necessarily a better nurse, but because I want to know what type of commitment my nurse has put into her education.

What type of commitment to education does a BSN have in comparison to an ADN. Commitment to giving the best patient care is the most important aspect to nursing and it isn't contingent on what degree you've obtained. The tone written in your messages leaves me to believe you feel you are a better nurse since you have a BSN??

Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

Hey I am not saying that I am a "better" nurse because I chose to obtain a BSN. That was my decision. Sounds like you are looking to pick a fight here pal. But since I have a 4 year college degree then I should be compensated as such. I took many different classes at college, french, history, music, etc. Plus I think that a BSN gets more in depth into management and stuff like that. I chose to go the BSN route at my state university because it was cheaper than going 2 years at a local private Catholic University!

I have no intention of going into a management position. It was recommended to me by another RN that she thought that I would be better off getting a BSN because there would be more opportunities for me. And I agree.

But since I EARNED my BSN then I should be allowed to wear the credential on my name badge and that is the point of this thread in the first place. I am not looking to divide us based on whether a person has a diploma or ADN or BSN. We all took the SAME licensing exam --the NCLEX RN. And our practice is the same. I do not think that I am better than anyone else and never said that I was and never would.

There are a lot of hospitals that pay a differential to those with BSN's. I think that a degree shows a higher committment. Wouldn't you agree that learning is a life-long process? If I were in the Army reserves, I would need a BSN to advance in the ranks. In fact I attended college with a diploma grad who needed her BSN in order to advance in rank or else the Army would make her "retire" early. This Nurse was an RN for 26 years before she went back to school.

I think that I should be paid more for having a degree.

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Thank God my hospital puts the degrees on the badges, so I would never have to worry about this. Its important to me! personally, if I was sick, and the many times I have been to the hospital as a patient, i DO care what degree my nurse has. Not because the BSN is necessarily a better nurse, but because I want to know what type of commitment my nurse has put into her education. [/b]

Looking at your profile, you are still in nursing school. The least of my concerns would be what is on my name badge and I would be more in tune to passing the remaining courses as well as state boards. Why not wait until you get out on the floors or whatever department you decide to work in before you start judging others based on their education. You'll find some terrific RNs, LPNs, and CNAs that will help you adjust to your new position. You'll be dependent on them in many ways and you may find yourself being orientated by ADN. If you are smart you will look to find a ADN. diploma or BSN who have been in the profession for years, and try to learn from their experience.

Originally posted by kaknurse

Hey I am not saying that I am a "better" nurse because I chose to obtain a BSN. That was my decision. Sounds like you are looking to pick a fight here pal. But since I have a 4 year college degree then I should be compensated as such.

Believe me I'm not looking for any type of fight. From what I read you are still in school? Is your web site wrong?

I took many different classes at college, french, history, music, etc. Plus I think that a BSN gets more in depth into management and stuff like that. I chose to go the BSN route at my state university because it was cheaper than going 2 years at a local private Catholic University!

But since I EARNED my BSN then I should be allowed to wear the credential on my name badge and that is the point of this thread in the first place. I am not looking to divide us based on whether a person has a diploma or ADN or BSN. We all took the SAME licensing exam --the NCLEX RN. And our practice is the same. I do not think that I am better than anyone else and never said that I was and never would.

And neither did Brandy.

Most of my supervisors are ADN and they are terrific. My old roommate before I married has a BSN from a private college and she is a great nurse also. I just haven't though of their education as being the deciding factor in why they are great nurses.

Honestly, Spanish today would have been a better college course since this is a language that is becoming more in need of being translated. In fact, our facility is offering Spanish courses to help us nurses communicate better with patients who speak only Spanish.

Originally posted by kaknurse

Hey I am not saying that I am a "better" nurse because I chose to obtain a BSN. That was my decision. Sounds like you are looking to pick a fight here pal. But since I have a 4 year college degree then I should be compensated as such.

Believe me I'm not looking for any type of fight. From what I read you are still in school? Is your web site wrong?

I see I made a mistake and got two people who are posting mixed up. I see that Kaknurse is not a student nurse. My apology for the mistake.

Specializes in ICU/CCU (PCCN); Heme/Onc/BMT.

This is a very interesting post.

I understand both points of view regarding having the "all those letters" on the name tag.

I say, if a healthcare professional wants them their name, so be it!! And if someone is content with just a few letters, again, so be it. Let it be a personal choice.

To me, though, the most important thing is education. I would hope that we would all want to better ourselves through continued education . . . whether it's college, workshops, attending specialty conferences, patient care conferences (rounds) . . . whatever.

With regards with nursing and educational degrees . . . I always felt that it was a strength for the nursing profession to allow a person to become licensed with a diploma, AS degree, BS degree, MS degree, etc. Usually, the person who started out with a diploma and decided to persue a AS, BS, and/or MS degree, has gained tons of experience with all of the "hands on care" he/she has provided while working. I believe that the "hands on care" is an extremely important part of a nurse's educational growth. To me, it is just plain cool that we can grow as healthcare professionals in such a manner!!! I ask this question: "Why can't other healthcare professionls learn and grow the same way???"

The trick is to not stop learning and growing. I envey the nurses who started out with the diploma and worked their way towards their Masters. . . . with all of that "hands on care" as additional learning opportunities. (Although, I must say, I'm happy and proud of the with the way I've grown in this profession.)

So . . . proudly wear those letters after your name. If you don't want lots of letters after you name, that's cool too. Just don't stop learning. . . especially in the healthcare field where there's always something new around the corner.

Ted Fiebke

P. S. Sorry for the "diarrhea of the keyboard" . . . it's a slow night at work (all three stable patients are safely and soundly sleeping with their cardiac monitors purring "normal sinus rhythm").

Also, I can see that I need learning opportunities in spelling. Too bad this forum doesn't have a spell check. . . sorry for the errors.

Ted

There are a lot of hospitals that pay a differential to those with BSN's. I think that a degree shows a higher committment. Wouldn't you agree that learning is a life-long process? If I were in the Army reserves, I would need a BSN to advance in the ranks. In fact I attended college with a diploma grad who needed her BSN in order to advance in rank or else the Army would make her "retire" early. This Nurse was an RN for 26 years before she went back to school.

I think that I should be paid more for having a degree. [/b]

Generally, you find your greater pay increases with the number of years you invested in one facility and not what type of degree or education background you have. If you think you should be paid more for your degree, why don't you work at a hospital that does this?

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To me, though, the most important thing is education. I would hope that we would all want to better ourselves through continued education . . . whether it's college, workshops, attending specialty conferences, patient care conferences (rounds) . . . whatever.

With regards with nursing and educational degrees . . . I always felt that it was a strength for the nursing profession to allow a person to become licensed with a diploma, AS degree, BS degree, MS degree, etc. Usually, the person who started out with a diploma and decided to persue a AS, BS, and/or MS degree, has gained tons of experience with all of the "hands on care" he/she has provided while working. I believe that the "hands on care" is an extremely important part of a nurse's educational growth. To me, it is just plain cool that we can grow as healthcare professionals in such a manner!!! I ask this question: "Why can't other healthcare professionls learn and grow the same way???"

The trick is to not stop learning and growing. I envey the nurses who started out with the diploma and worked their way towards their Masters. . . . with all of that "hands on care" as additional learning opportunities. (Although, I must say, I'm happy and proud of the with the way I've grown in this profession.)

So . . . proudly wear those letters after your name. If you don't want lots of letters after you name, that's cool too. Just don't stop learning. . . especially in the healthcare field where there's always something new around the corner.

Ted Fiebke

I agree with your message. It has many good points about the importance of nurses to continue their education in many ways.

I hope your night continues to be a quiet one.

HI all :)

Yes, I am a student. I have 9 months left before I get my BSN. My Profile is correct.

However, I have been a CNA for 4 years, and I have a lot of "outside" experience with nurses from All degrees and levels. I do not agree however, that just because I am a student, I should not have a strong opinion on this matter. I have been at this university for 3 years, 9 months shy of 4 years.

This is not an argument about which nurse is better, and we should not try to put others down. Each chose their avenue of education for different reasons. This argument IS ABOUT recongition.

I put in 4 years, i could have gotten my ADN in 2, but I decided to put another 2 years in, because I wanted a more advanced degree. I do not plan to be a bedside nurse for long, as I will be going on to get either my CRNA or go to med school. 4 years will make me a BSN, ONE test will make me an RN. 4 years has made me more educated, not a better nurse.

Its also fine with me if a nurse wants ADN RN on her/his name badge. More power to them! Be proud of yourself, and if you want to show that you are an ADN, put it on your tag! I would not dream of discouraging you.

Specializes in LDRP; Education.
Originally posted by mcl4

What is your point? Did this patient feel that if a nurse did not have a four year degree, she was inadequate? I've worked in hospitals and a nursing home and I've seen many associate and diploma nurses who I would choose as a supervisor/team leader over a nurse who had a degree in nursing. Organizational skills are more important today in nursing and this is where I see a nurse suceed or fail in handling a patient assignment and supervising others.

First of all, you inserted a comment into my original post as if I wrote that - which I did not.

My point was to state that the public is VERY unaware of the levels of education nurses have. I did not make any comments about who is better than whom.

Originally posted by Susy K

First of all, you inserted a comment into my original post as if I wrote that - which I did not.

My point was to state that the public is VERY unaware of the levels of education nurses have. I did not make any comments about who is better than whom.

I disagree. Patients are not overly interested or aware in what your education history is while you give them their care from what I've seen in different hosptial and nursing home settings. They recognize the difference between a RN/LPN/CNA and that is about the extent of it. Patients' priority is that their needs are meet and the care is safe.

I put in 4 years, i could have gotten my ADN in 2, but I decided to put another 2 years in, because I wanted a more advanced degree. I do not plan to be a bedside nurse for long, as I will be going on to get either my CRNA or go to med school. 4 years will make me a BSN, ONE test will make me an RN. 4 years has made me more educated, not a better nurse.

If you become a CRNA, you will have this on your name badge since this is a job title. Why didn't you attend med school if you feel you want to be a physician?

Its also fine with me if a nurse wants ADN RN on her/his name badge. More power to them! Be proud of yourself, and if you want to show that you are an ADN, put it on your tag! I would not dream of discouraging you. [/b]

It isn't a matter of having pride or not having pride. The point is that as a staff nurse whether you have a diploma, ADN, or a BSN, your job title is the same. That was the point of the original message and mine. You badge is intended to show a person's name along with your job title. Showing your financial and time sacrafices in obtaining a four year degree is not the purpose of a badge.

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