Help!!! How Much Should The Public Know

nursepearl · Aug 26, 2004

sure, i dont see any reason why they shouldnt. Besides we are working directly with the public.

Katnip, RN · Aug 26, 2004

I don't think license numbers should be made public. There have been cases of fraud when a nurse or even non-nurse hijacked innocent people's license numbers and used them to obtain fake licenses in different states.

RN92 · Aug 27, 2004

What does DOH stand for?

Nurse Ratched, RN · Aug 27, 2004

DOH = Dept of Health

I'm interested in knowing the original poster's thoughts on the subject.

I personally don't think my address should be available to any idiot who happens to have my last name. Yeah, it's in the phone book, too, but I have the option of being unlisted in the phone book.

The fact that I am licensed should be enough information for the lay public. My number shouldn't be out there.

I guess working psych makes me more sensitive to this.

Angela Mac · Aug 27, 2004

With the constant threats of identity theft, & disgruntled people or stalkers-

No all that info should not be readily accessible to the public.

SharonH, RN · Aug 27, 2004

DOH = Dept of Health
I'm interested in knowing the original poster's thoughts on the subject.
I personally don't think my address should be available to any idiot who happens to have my last name. Yeah, it's in the phone book, too, but I have the option of being unlisted in the phone book.
The fact that I am licensed should be enough information for the lay public. My number shouldn't be out there.
I guess working psych makes me more sensitive to this.

I agree. I don't see why it would be necessary for that information to be available to the general public. Not only is my safety and privacy an issue, but that of my family also.

gabym25 · Aug 27, 2004

doh stands for the department of health.

by the way thanks for replying:rolleyes:

gabym25 · Aug 27, 2004

i think that the public should only be priveleged to any disciplines on file but other than that i do not want anyone being able to find out where i live, and my license number. I feel that it is a great invasion of privacy and for example if my ex is stalking me he can find my address there and come kill me. so i do not agree with all the public knowledge.

by the way thanks for anyone who has replied to me:p

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Aug 27, 2004

Does XYZ have a current, valid nursing license in this state: Yes or No?

That is the ONLY information the public has a right to. They do not need my address, my phone number, or my license number. If anyone thinks they have a right to this info, please tell me why they would EVER need it?

ratchit · Aug 27, 2004

HI I AM A NURSING STUDENT 9WEEKS LEFT DOING ANOTHER DEBATE FOR CLASS ON HOW MUCH KNOWLEDGE SHOULD THE PUBLIC BE ABLE TO GET FROM THE DOH. I CAN GO ON THE WEBSITE AND PULL UP YOUR ADDRESS, FULL NAME, ANY DISCIPLINES AND YOUR LICENSE NUMBER. SHOULD ALL OF THAT BE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP AND TIME FOR MY A IN THIS CLASS. :)

OH this is a hot issue with me!

Can you go online and verify that the guy who wrote you a ticket is really a cop? Nope. Can you get his home address and go knock on his door at 2AM? Nope. Why should the safety and privacy of nurses be put at risk? We deal with many people who are, to be kind "not at their best."

Medical boards in most states don't publish addresses- just the fact that the MD is licensed and any disciplinary history. The medical board websites I've looked at showed office addresses, not home- so apparently the docs get to choose what info is shared. I'm OK with that for nurses, too.

But I think it's ridiculous for any Joe Schmoe stalker (violently or financially dangerous) to be able to get my address, license number, and educational background without demonstrating any need for that information and asking for it on the record. If you file a complaint with the hospital or the board, you can get my personal info because you have a reason to have it. If I have no professional relationship with you, you don't need my background. Sex offenders are on a public registry because they are dangerous to those around them. Nurses should not be treated like sex offenders just because we are nurses!

I found out a few years ago that one state I was licensed in published this information on their website. I called them and said "What if I were the victim of stalking or domestic violence? How do I opt out of this? This could mean my life." The board's response: "Get a P.O. box in another town." Good thing I'm not being stalked, hmm?

Doctors don't have to put up with this. No reason nurses should either.

LTC_LPN · Aug 27, 2004

How in the world would someone get that info off the DOH website? I just checked at the arkansas state department of health website, and there aren't any links that show nurses names, etc. Or at least, not that I could find!

OH this is a hot issue with me!
Can you go online and verify that the guy who wrote you a ticket is really a cop? Nope. Can you get his home address and go knock on his door at 2AM? Nope. Why should the safety and privacy of nurses be put at risk? We deal with many people who are, to be kind "not at their best."
Medical boards in most states don't publish addresses- just the fact that the MD is licensed and any disciplinary history. The medical board websites I've looked at showed office addresses, not home- so apparently the docs get to choose what info is shared. I'm OK with that for nurses, too.
But I think it's ridiculous for any Joe Schmoe stalker (violently or financially dangerous) to be able to get my address, license number, and educational background without demonstrating any need for that information and asking for it on the record. If you file a complaint with the hospital or the board, you can get my personal info because you have a reason to have it. If I have no professional relationship with you, you don't need my background. Sex offenders are on a public registry because they are dangerous to those around them. Nurses should not be treated like sex offenders just because we are nurses!
I found out a few years ago that one state I was licensed in published this information on their website. I called them and said "What if I were the victim of stalking or domestic violence? How do I opt out of this? This could mean my life." The board's response: "Get a P.O. box in another town." Good thing I'm not being stalked, hmm?
Doctors don't have to put up with this. No reason nurses should either.