I'm starting a blanket thread, rather than doing individual posts like I have been the last few days, because this might get some people's attention better.
The word "Nurse" is a legally protected title in most states (as well as "LVN/LPN", and "RN"). The law was written to prevent people who are NOT nurses from using those titles.
Beyond that, if you are posting ON THIS WEBSITE, AllNurses.com has a clear Terms of Service posted that you agreed to when registering for a username. To put it simply, you may not use the word "Nurse" or "RN" or "LPN" unless you hold an active LICENSE for one of those titles.
Usernames such as Nurse2Be, or FutureRN, or HopeToBeLVN are obviously not in violation of the TOS, as it is clear that the member is not misrepresenting himself or herself as a current nurse.
If you are someone who has mistakenly registered an incorrect username, please take the time to CHANGE IT. There are many members here who will be angry with seeing your fraudulent use of the title; some will be nice about it and ask you politely to change it (as I am doing) and some will be far less pleasant....and both will be right.
CNAs, MAs, who are using the word Nurse in your name....please stop. Students, post-students who have yet to pass the NCLEX, please do not use a title you have not earned.
You wouldn't call yourself Doctor Sally (I don't think?) if you aren't a doctor. Please give Nurses the same consideration.
That still doesn't make it my real name and btw I don't have to hide or be afraid of being me. I have sufficient protection! Jody Abrams[/quote']
I am not trying to pick, but just a word of caution. I live in an area with two major hospitals. I know both do an audit of potential employees online activity. Don't post anything that you would not personally tell a future employer.
Finally!!!! Something to ease my nearly insurmountable boredom on this Sunday afternoon after spending the day studying for my Community Nursing test for when I am a real nurse, which I am not. *Popcorn*
It's sad that you so-called real Nurses have all this time on your hands to search all over sites that people can clearly put any info they want on. Just as you scary ones have. I have nothing to be afraid of and I've said nothing for a school or employer to be concerned about. I started off by saying I would change my username out of respect and have done just that. But you old bats are still haggling me. .
That aside, you are missing the point. People are able to look up your personal information and (apparently) views on a whole bunch of issues. When your school calls you in to explain yourself just saying "you just have way too much time on your hands" is not going to be much of an "excuse" to prevent disciplinary action. That reasoning is not going to help you get a job when a potential employer does a search for what type of person just applied for that GN job.
I have neither the time, energy, nor interest to search for your twitter and instagram accounts. However, other seem to. And schools will. So will hospital HR departments. And it can come back to bite you. Even though your Twitter may appear squeaky clean, they may not like what it has to say. What if they come back and peruse your posts on here? So maybe it's sad if someone spends their Sunday searching for a total strangers accounts. But it's been done, and other, more important people will do it as well.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Depending on the state, some will specifically state that retired and inactive (but not license revocation) nurses are still permitted to use the title nurse. My state does.
(v) Licensed practical nurse, practical nurse, or L.P.N.;
(vi) Licensed psychiatric technician nurse, psychiatric technician nurse, L.P.T.N., or P.T.N.; or
(vii) Any other name, title, or initials that would cause a reasonable person to believe the user is licensed under this chapter
DelawareSection 1. 1920, Title 24, Delaware Code (2010)
(d) Only registered nurses shall use the title nurse, the abbreviation of "R.N." or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a registered nurse.
"Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the use of title and abbreviation for advanced practice nurses is authorized in accordance with the following:
(1) Only Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists may use that title, the abbreviation 'CRNA' or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
(2) Only Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners may use that title, the abbreviation 'CRNP' or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a Certified Nurse Practitioner.
(3) Only Certified Registered Nurse Midwives may use that title, the abbreviation 'CNM' or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a Certified Nurse Midwife.
(4) Only Clinical Nurse Specialists may use that title, the abbreviation 'CNS' or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a Clinical Nurse Specialist."
Section 2. Amend 1920, Title 24, Delaware Code, by adding to subsection (d), after the phrase "that title,", the phrase "the title 'nurse', ", and by further adding to subsection (g) after the phrase "that title,", the phrase "the title 'nurse',".
Only licensed practical nurses shall use the title nurse, the abbreviation of "L.P.N." or any other words, letters, signs or figures indicating that the person using the same is a licensed practical nurse.
Florida
Title 32. Regulation of Professions and Occupations Chapter 464. Nursing. Part 1. Nurse Practice Act Fla. Stat. 464.016 (2002)
464.016. Violations and Penalties
Each of the following acts constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083:
(a) Using the title "Nurse", "Registered Nurse", "Licensed Practical Nurse", "Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner", or any other name or title which implies that a person was licensed or certified as same, unless such person is duly licensed or certified.
(d) Only persons who hold valid certificates to practice as certified registered nurse anesthetists in this state may use the title "Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist" and the abbreviations "CRNA" or "nurse anesthetist".
(e) Only persons who hold valid certificates to practice as certified nurse midwives in this state may use the title "Certified Nurse Midwife" and the abbreviations "CNM" or "nurse midwife"
Minnesota
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2002, Section 148.281, Subdivision 1. amended to read:
Subdivision 1. (Violations Described.)
It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, firm, or association to:
(4) use the professional title "Nurse" unless duly licensed to practice professional or practical nursing under the provisions of sections 148.285, except as authorized by the Board of Rule
(4)(d) Unless the person holds a license under this chapter or as a vocational nurse under Chapter 302, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name: (1) the title "nurse"; or (2) any other designation tending to imply that the person is licensed to provide nursing care.
Section 301.415. Use of Certain Nursing Titles
Unless the person is practicing under the delegated authority of a registered nurse or is otherwise authorized by state or federal law, a person may not use, in connection with the person's name: (1) the title" nurse aide", "nurse assistant", or" nurse technician" or (2) or any other similar title
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
and finally....
Tennessee
Tennessee Code Annotated Section 6-3-7-107 and Section 6-3-7-112 relative to use of the title " nurse". Tennessee Code Annotated Section is amended by deleting the current section in its entirety and substitution instead the following language: (2004) Section 1. Any person who holds a license to practice professional nursing under this chapter shall, during the effective period of such license, be entitled to use the title "nurse", "registered nurse", or abbreviation "RN". No other person shall assume such titles or use such abbreviation or any other words, letters, or signs to indicate that the person using the same is a professional or registered nurse. Section 2. Any person who holds a license to practice practical nursing under this chapter shall, during the effective period of such license, be entitled to use the title "nurse", "licensed practical nurse", or abbreviation "LPN". No other person shall assume such titles or use such abbreviation or any other words, letters, or signs to indicate that the person using the same is a Licensed practical nurse
Since I never had a chance to actually comment on the original topic, here it goes.
Protecting the title "nurse" is not about a urinating contest. it is not about trying to make people feel bad. It is not about trying to put nursing and pre-nursing students in their place.
It is about earning respect for a profession that requires an education--an education that requires one to learn volumes of information in a short time. If someone tried to pass themselves off an an attorney or medical doctor, many, even those not in the profession, would yell foul. Some of those individuals might even say "do you realize how much hard work when into them becoming a lawyer, and you would dare try and say you are a lawyer just to make you look better??" Why should the same not apply to nurses? Once (I hate to say it...if) those pre-nursing students become nurses, I think they will have a better understanding of why the title "nurse" (or RN, LPN, etc.) needs to be protected.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
It's sad that you so-called real Nurses have all this time on your hands to search all over sites that people can clearly put any info they want on. Just as you scary ones have. I have nothing to be afraid of and I've said nothing for a school or employer to be concerned about. I started off by saying I would change my username out of respect and have done just that. But you old bats are still haggling me.
It's my day off, and if I want to spend less than a minute of it Googling your name, which you so helpfully provided on all of your posts, to find your twitter account, your email address and your instagram, it's my time to spend. Yes, you can put anything you want to out there, but that doesn't mean it's an intelligent thing to do.
I haven't spent any time reading anything you've put out there on any thread except this one, but if I were you (which thankfully, I am not) I'd be concerned about a potential employer reading what you've posted. Much of it is nasty and negative. In fact, most or all of it is. Most employers would take a dim view of that sort of thing. If you're employed now, you'd better hope that their IT department doesn't happen upon your posts. If you'll be looking for employment soon, pray.
We're not old bats, we're CRUSTY old bats. And I haven't noticed that anyone has been "haggling" you. Or even hassling.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Just to play the devil's advocate...
I could pull a nurse's name and picture off twitter and use it to create an account here. I'm not saying that's the case with "Jody", but it is a possibility.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I never threatened anyone, only stated facts. You people don't hold the key to my success. This world is big and you don't know who I know. I'm done playing tick for tack with you all. Have a great evening!
PixieRN14
92 Posts