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.
Well this was an interesting break from my studies. Guess it is time to get my nose back into the books, so I can earn the right to use the title Nurse. Only four months to go :)
I'm a little concerned at this point. Professionals need not engage in this type of behavior, although I'm quite sure that in real life you're less tough than any of you claim to be on the internet.
A student using the name "nurse" on allnurses is not nearly as terrible as someone utilizing the name nurse in a real life situation. Students have goals to be nurses. I haven't tried it myself, but I don't know if you can change your name on here. If you plan to be a nurse, and you can't change your user name, then where is the harm in that? Is it required that you post your license before using the name nurse on this site? Personally, I'd like to think that majority responding in this thread right now do not actually hold nursing licences.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
A student using the name "nurse" on allnurses is not nearly as terrible as someone utilizing the name nurse in a real life situation. Students have goals to be nurses. I haven't tried it myself, but I don't know if you can change your name on here. If you plan to be a nurse, and you can't change your user name, then where is the harm in that?
It is very easy to change one's user name on this site. I've done it myself 2-3 times. Secondly, those putting "nurse" in their user name without holding the title are: 1. misrepresenting themselves; 2. breaking TOS; 3. possibly breaking a law depending on their state; and 4. cheapening the work those of us who have completed school, passed boards, and maintained active licensure have done. I really don't get the disconnect between those who think it's okay to use the title nurse when one does not legally hold the right to do so and those who have been there, done that, and do understand why it's not a good idea.
Not sure if this question has been addressed yet but; can a nursing student change their username in here after passing NCLEX? Another option: just don't use a reference to nursing in your username. When I joined all the good ones I could think of were taken anyway lol
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Not sure if this question has been addressed yet but; can a nursing student change their username in here after passing NCLEX? Another option: just don't use a reference to nursing in your username. When I joined all the good ones I could think of were taken anyway lol
Yes, you can change your username after becoming licensed as a nurse.
i know we're living in an age of increased technological dependence, and i should be more susceptible to this change because i was born into this generation of smartphones, facebook and tablets, and aside from the frivolity of it all, technology is becoming an increasingly more important fixture in the way we do things both in and out of healthcare, and we're being held more responsible for our online activities almost to the same standards as real life but with that said..
i cannot for the life of me take anything i see or read online seriously enough to have my feathers even remotely ruffled. i mean honestly, i see these things and cant for the life of me care. in the end of the day these people are just nameless faceless entities miles and miles away sharing their knowledge or ill-informed ignorance with the world.
Verbally being addressed by the right title is a whole different story though. I used to roll my eyes at professionals that insisted on being referred to as "Doctor" (in educational institutes) but now that ive actually received a level of training that differentiates myself from other healthcare workers, i can see how one can get bothered by this. Its like a wrench in the gears of my brain when people refer to themselves under an inappropriate title, and moreso when they try to upsell themeselves by saying "I'm LIKE a __________"
No you're not. you're not like anything except for what you went to school for. If you want to be something else, go back to school and receive the necessary training required to achieve that title, haha.
It is very easy to change one's user name on this site. I've done it myself 2-3 times. Secondly, those putting "nurse" in their user name without holding the title are: 1. misrepresenting themselves; 2. breaking TOS; 3. possibly breaking a law depending on their state; and 4. cheapening the work those of us who have completed school, passed boards, and maintained active licensure have done. I really don't get the disconnect between those who think it's okay to use the title nurse when one does not legally hold the right to do so and those who have been there, done that, and do understand why it's not a good idea.
My apologies. I tried to see if there was a way to change my username, and I couldn't do it. I guess I didn't realize that the internet was regulated like the work environment, where a license is required. I'll be happy to know that if anyone has the name "nurse" after their name, I should take their posts at absolute value, whereas anyone who doesn't, they don't matter. I assume this also applies to the "years of experience" as well.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
My apologies. I tried to see if there was a way to change my username, and I couldn't do it.
Go to account, go to the drop down menu that says dashboard, edit user name/password/email.
I guess I didn't realize that the internet was regulated like the work environment, where a license is required.
This is where the terms of service come in. No, the internet as a whole is generally not regulated, but individual sites certainly do have the right to set their own rules.
I'll be happy to know that if anyone has the name "nurse" after their name, I should take their posts at absolute value, whereas anyone who doesn't, they don't matter. I assume this also applies to the "years of experience" as well.
Obvious sarcasm, but no, you can't take everyone at face value. That's the downside of an anonymous message board. What those of us who are supporting the OP are saying is respect the title of nurse and respect the TOS.
What is scary is that if you google "jody abrams", the 4th search match is a direct link to this thread...after twitter, linkendin, and an unrelated doctor with the same name. If the poster is this person it seems as though she is a registered dietician, which seems like something to be proud of. I think its great she decided to change her allnurses username and realized it was not respectful. I applaud her for that. We all make mistakes and it takes a bigger person to realize when they have made one. I only wish the posts had not gotten so negative, more so from the nurseladi2be than jodi. I'm sure both posters felt bullied and it caused them to react the way they did but really that is not a good enough excuse. Nurse or not we are adults and should act like adults. Hopefully this thread will be read by many nurse hopefuls on this site and result in username changes as needed. Trust me, once your actually a nurse it will feel great to change your username to reflect such, even if it is just on an anonymous online forum.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
Now that would make a great signature line. Or a sampler over my desk!