Identification tag

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Our agency doesn't have ID tags. I feel like "I" should have one. Just a "your name, RN". Is this silly? Does anybody have this? I feel like it would clear things up when I have to meet other healthcare providers. I can see the look on peoples faces until I introduce myself as blah blah, RN. Is there like an RN standard for this if I do order one for myself?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

In my state the BoN mandated that employers provide id tags indicating level of nursing license (RN, LPN or APN). It is my understanding that it is also an accreditation standard for CARF (one of the home care/PDN accrediting agencies) that all employees be issued a photo id that includes name & title as well as agency name and it should be visible at least when not in the home and shorn upon initially meeting the family.

Do you wear scrubs?

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

We have them, we're supposed to wear them all the time but I only do the first several nights on a new case, then I leave it in my bag, in case I get a surprise visit from a clinical manager. It helps to have it when I sometimes work in a college dorm and I can't seem to get buzzed in, passing students see it in my hand w my keys and open doors for me.

I also have a parking tag w company logo that hangs from my rear view mirror. It's my parking pass on college campuses, but I've been displaying it lately on overnights w all this snow we've been getting, I get worried that I might get towed or someone might slash my tires for parking in their street spot (it happens!) so far no problems.

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

Both of my agencies have them. We have to be able to produce them upon request at any time, but generally are not require to wear them. I put mine on for doctors appointments, and at schools.

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I have never seen a private duty RN with an ID, only home health/visiting RNs. Yes, for doc visits and other "official" interactions, is what I believe it would be beneficial. I wear scrubs, but I have seen baby sitters wearing them too. It was always a pet peeve of mine before I ever went into healthcare, if everybody is going to wear scrubs and in all these cute colors and styles, then ID needs to be blazing with credentials. I can't stand when you cannot tell an aide, from a doc, from an RN, from a psych, from desk clerk, etc.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Perhaps your agency isn't CARF accredited? We are to wear them when orienting, first shift, any therapy, physician or other appointment or outing. Must be worn during school (and transportation to/from school). This policy is the same with both of my agencies.

Some wear company logo apparel with a badge like you described such as "JustBeachyNurse, LPN " in lieu of the lanyard/ photo id.

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My agency doesn't have them. I feel weird about not having one on initial visits, because really, how do they know I am who I say I am? For this reason I carry the wallet size version of my RN license in my wallet, just in case.

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I present mine at the door when I go for the first visit or shift, then it goes into a pocket in my backpack. Also have a generic one left over from a facility job.

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I started with my company in November, still waiting for my ID to come in the mail...

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

I find them silly. They are great germ collectors.

The family knows what time you will be there and we are typically in scrubs. The odds of someone showing up at the same time we are supposed to be there would be slim. I've never been asked to show my ID in all these years. I tell the family my name as I introduce myself at the door. I carry it because I don't want to be written up for not having it. But I've never had to pull it out for anyone except the supervisor.

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Specializes in Emergency room, Neurosurgery ICU.

Not working for an agency does have its drawbacks in PDN, My job is for the patient, no agency involved, unfortuantely, this means no ID , which for me is not really a problem, unless we get level 3 snow emergencies, like we did last winter. Mom chcekd it out w/ their attorneys and the Case manager, I was told to carry a paystub with me in case i got pulled over on the way to work during a level 3.... not sure how that's gonna work, but, um, ok... hope the cops believe it and let me go on my way instead of impounding my car and arresting me, as they have the right to do so in a level 3 here in my city!

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.
Not working for an agency does have its drawbacks in PDN, My job is for the patient, no agency involved, unfortuantely, this means no ID , which for me is not really a problem, unless we get level 3 snow emergencies, like we did last winter. Mom chcekd it out w/ their attorneys and the Case manager, I was told to carry a paystub with me in case i got pulled over on the way to work during a level 3.... not sure how that's gonna work, but, um, ok... hope the cops believe it and let me go on my way instead of impounding my car and arresting me, as they have the right to do so in a level 3 here in my city!

One year when I still worked in an SNF, we were issued letters from Human Resources on company letterhead explaining who we were and why we needed to be allowed passage during level 3 emergencies. I could be wrong, but I don't think cops are really going to give health care workers a really hard time about this if we can provide some sort of proof that we are who we say we are. They know we'd rather be anywhere than on the roads!

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