Identifying yourself as an RN when flying commercial

[RelloydRN]

Do you identify yourself as an RN when you book for your flights? Like when you use your frequent flyer card? Does your frequent flyer card bear your "RN" title?

Just curious though because I see a lot (actually oversee through shoulders [Yeah I'm a bit tall] ) use their "Dr." title in these cards. How about for RN's?

[klone, MSN, RN]

I have not delivered babies after getting my RN license. I only got to deliver babies when I was in college. I think I'd be nervous if I'd be asked to help in-flight deliveries!

That's always been a secret fantasy of mine - being on a flight where a woman goes into labor, and then I swoop in and save the day and get my picture in the newspaper.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

That's because Dr. is a title (it takes the place of Mr. or Ms.). RN is not a title in that sense.

I was going to say this. Being a doctor is very different than an RN especially in terms of title, since it takes the place of Mr., Mrs., Miss, whatever. That would be the primary reason for being ID'd as a Dr. on cards, I would think. RN would have no place on an identification card.

[rn4ever?]

No, I don’t routinely identify myself as an RN. But if an emergency arises, they need help, and I could help, then I would help. I’m a Psych RN though-----so if someone needs to be de-escalated, needs crisis management, needs to be detoxed, or needs a shot of Ativan, Haldol, Geodon, or Risperdal…..maybe I can help out!

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

I sat next to a guy on a plane and his ticket said "Dr. so and so".

He wasn't a doctor-the lady that made the reservation(in his office) thought it would be funny to have that on his ticket.....

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

I wonder how much is "status" and how much is simply a readiness to help.

[Katie803]

Nope. Not true. If your state has a "Good Samaritan" law in place it limits your liability but it absolutely does not keep you from being sued. Anybody can sue anybody at any time for any reason. The GS law should protect you from having criminal charges levied against you as long as you are within your scope of practice. But even that is no guarantee. Also, as nurses, we do not have a legal "duty to act". We certainly have a moral one though.

No, you cannot depend on the GS laws to protect you, and there is no "duty to respond" (outside of my place of employment, that is) in my state.

Please see the definition of Good Samaritan law and keep in mind each state has a different variation. in my state, if you are caught not helping in an emergency, your license will be suspended or revoked. Police officers and firefighters can be fired, etc...definition taken from http://definitions.uslegal.com/g/good-samaritans/

A good samaritan in legal terms refers to someone who renders aid in an emergency to an injured person on a voluntary basis. Usually, if a volunteer comes to the aid of an injured or ill person who is a stranger, the person giving the aid owes the stranger a duty of being reasonably careful. A person is not obligated by law to do first aid in most states, not unless it's part of a job description. However, some states will consider it an act of negligence though, if a person doesn't at least call for help. Generally, where an unconscious victim cannot respond, a good samaritan can help them on the grounds of implied consent. However, if the victim is conscious and can respond, a person should ask their permission to help them first.

Some states offer immunity to good samaritans, but sometimes negligence could result in a claim of negligent care if the injuries or illness were made worse by the volunteer's negligence. Statutes typically don't exempt a good samaritan who acts in a willful and wanton or reckless manner in providing the care, advice, or assistance. Good samaritan laws often don't apply to a person rendering emergency care, advice, or assistance during the course or regular employment, such as services rendered by a health care provider to a patient in a health care facility.

Under the good samaritan laws which grant immunity, if the good samaritan makes an error while rendering emergency medical care, he or she cannot be held legally liable for damages in court. However, two conditions usually must be met; 1) the aid must be given at the scene of the emergency, and. 2) if the "volunteer" has other motives, such as the hope of being paid a fee or reward, then the law will not apply

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

It was an option as a suffix on my Southwest account!

[J_W, DNP, APRN, CNS]

For those who wonder the Phenergan came from the medical box. It is full of things that only a physician or nurse would know how to handle them. It had IV caths, start kit, tubing, and NS bag. Also had first aid stuff (bandaids, gauze, tape), AED was right next to the medical kit...there was emergency meds in it (Epi and Atropine, Epi pen) honestly can't remember what else. Oh there was PO valium 5mg tablets in it too.

I didn't question them as to why they had all this stuff if no one knows how to utilize the stuff...I did think why do they have all of this if no one can utilize it, it is as if they hope that someone is on the plane that knows how to use the stuff...

I only offered to help as there was no one else or at least no one else who offered. On top that the women who needed the shot was Muslim and me being a male made it more interesting, the women's husband stood there...I mean the lady was vomiting not alot but just couldn't stop, she was miserable. Plus she didn't understand English, the husband did though.

I do not identify myself as an RN or APRN...only if they ask for assistance, then wait and if they ask twice then I assume no one has volunteered so i speak up.

They announced the need of the PA system...

[Katie5]

Pardon me, but either I am slow or my humility is in over-drive here. I seriously seek to understand. Is there a prestige to being an RN. I mean everyone should love their jobs and I do love mine as I'm sure that others do.

But other than that, is there an unspoken rule that others should look up to us..scratch that...put us on a pedastal?

[kids]

Originally Posted by redhairednurse never......unless an emergency that i could assist.

i did not post this.......what happened????

If there is a moderator reading this, please tell me how someone posted this under my screen name??

Look VERY closely at the user name, that user's name is spelled with a lower case r, yours with a capital R.

[elkpark]

Please see the definition of Good Samaritan law and keep in mind each state has a different variation. in my state, if you are caught not helping in an emergency, your license will be suspended or revoked. Police officers and firefighters can be fired, etc...definition taken from http://definitions.uslegal.com/g/good-samaritans/

A good samaritan in legal terms refers to someone who renders aid in an emergency to an injured person on a voluntary basis. Usually, if a volunteer comes to the aid of an injured or ill person who is a stranger, the person giving the aid owes the stranger a duty of being reasonably careful. A person is not obligated by law to do first aid in most states, not unless it's part of a job description. However, some states will consider it an act of negligence though, if a person doesn't at least call for help. Generally, where an unconscious victim cannot respond, a good samaritan can help them on the grounds of implied consent. However, if the victim is conscious and can respond, a person should ask their permission to help them first.

Some states offer immunity to good samaritans, but sometimes negligence could result in a claim of negligent care if the injuries or illness were made worse by the volunteer's negligence. Statutes typically don't exempt a good samaritan who acts in a willful and wanton or reckless manner in providing the care, advice, or assistance. Good samaritan laws often don't apply to a person rendering emergency care, advice, or assistance during the course or regular employment, such as services rendered by a health care provider to a patient in a health care facility.

Under the good samaritan laws which grant immunity, if the good samaritan makes an error while rendering emergency medical care, he or she cannot be held legally liable for damages in court. However, two conditions usually must be met; 1) the aid must be given at the scene of the emergency, and. 2) if the "volunteer" has other motives, such as the hope of being paid a fee or reward, then the law will not apply

I am aware of all of this and, as I noted, there is no duty/requirement to respond in my state (outside of my place of employment). I am aware (I commented on it) that the law varies among states, which is why it's so important to be aware of the law in one's own state of residence and/or practice.

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

While I've never witnessed any need for medical intervention on a flight, I used to work with a nurse who was also a flight stewardess. She once mentioned that while obviously you're concerned with "scope of practice" issues as an RN responding, pretty much all companies have a medical liason (e.g. MD) in radio contact with whom you can speak to and receive orders from to cover yourself legally if you need to intervene.