So I just got off the phone with my best friend, who is a RN in another state. She said that a CNA on the floor tells the patients she's a nurse. My friend said today was the last straw when she overheard the patient who sounded upset ask to speak to a nurse and the CNA said, "I am a nurse." I dont know the full details because I wasnt there, and Im trying to get her to join allnurses.com (maybe one day). Apparently, when she approached the CNA about this, she got defensive and my best friend was just trying to tell her that it would be more appropriate to tell the patients she is an aid and not a nurse, which offended the CNA because she said that she is a nurse (or they all are nurses - something like that). Anyhow, I just wanted to know you guys perspective on this, I know a couple CNAs who call themselves nurses (I mean I have a cousin who has nurse as her job on fb and she is a CNA), but this is different because its occurring in the field, not just in random conversation or on social sites. Is this a big deal? I personally think my best friend handled it the best she could (even though she said the CNA didnt seem to change her mind on the issue). I dont know if there is anymore she can do, should she just let this one ride?
Now there was one instance when I was asked if I was a nurse and I said Yes. The Dog & Beth Chapman had a book signing at the local book store and when he signed my book he asked if I were a nurse (I was on my lunch break and dressed in scrubs) so I said Yes...I was not about to correct The Dog...I was in awe that I was even looking at him in the flesh...He was so cool.
LOL:D Thats awesome! I would not have corrected him either.
I pretty much guess most on this site are not in practice or practice as students. That's o.k.
The title is not so important. The profession does deserve more respect, but when someone who is not a professional nurse calls themselves a nurse....What is the problem? If they pretended to be a professional nurse, that is another matter. Those who have a problem with cna's or even dental assistants calling themselves "nurse" probably have no other claim to the profession than the title. Those persons are most harmful.
I pretty much guess most on this site are not in practice or practice as students. That's o.k.
The title is not so important. The profession does deserve more respect, but when someone who is not a professional nurse calls themselves a nurse....What is the problem? If they pretended to be a professional nurse, that is another matter. Those who have a problem with cna's or even dental assistants calling themselves "nurse" probably have no other claim to the profession than the title. Those persons are most harmful.
I don't even know where to begin to respond to this......there's so much wrong here.
Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
Wow. When I was a CNA many years ago, I absolutely did NOT want the responsibility of the Nurse. I would never had dreamed of calling myself a nurse when I was not. As far as I saw it, I already had a super tough busy job making less than half of what the nurse's did. Not to mention, I clearly knew my limitations of my CNA education and knowledge compared to a nurse.
When others say "patients don't know the difference between CNAs and Nurses because it's too confusing". I say educate them! Unless they are just really confused, it takes about 2 seconds to say I am your Nurse today and I will be responsible for your assessment, wound care, medications, etc. _____ will be your Tech/CNA/Aide today and will be able to assist you with getting dressed, going to the bathroom, grooming, bathing, etc. It also helps if in the hospital you write on a board for patients your name as the Nurse and then the Tech/CNAs name. Where I work 90% of the patients seem to understand the roles without much difficulty at all.
I pretty much guess most on this site are not in practice or practice as students. That's o.k.
The title is not so important. The profession does deserve more respect, but when someone who is not a professional nurse calls themselves a nurse....What is the problem? If they pretended to be a professional nurse, that is another matter. Those who have a problem with cna's or even dental assistants calling themselves "nurse" probably have no other claim to the profession than the title. Those persons are most harmful.
I really really really try to keep my judgements to myself, even on an internet forum where no one knows me from Adam;but a statement like this from someone that claims to have 20+ years experience is one of the most disturbing things I have read to date on this forum. For you to say that you would not care if a dental assistant referred to him/herself as a nurse makes no sense to me. I realize my opinion means squat to you, but have a bit of respect for our PROFESSION! That is exactly what it is. I went to school, passed a peach of an exam, and maintain my license by adhering to laws, regulations, and a standard of practice that is ever evolving based on research and evidence gathered by other people who have been doing this longer than I have. I think that is a little more than the 6 week class and laughable test I took to become a CNA 7 years ago. The only requirement to maintain that CERTIFICATION is to prove that I worked 8 hours under the supervision of an RN within the prior 2 year licensing period. If you want that person to make it seem as though they are share equal levels of responsibility as you (if YOU aer really a NURSE at all) go right ahead. You should also call your dentist office when it is time for your first colonoscopy as I am sure the dental assistant will be capable of giving the proper sedation and hand the doc the proper instruments(preferably a drill) for the procedure.WTFE!
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
. . .Those who have a problem with cna's or even dental assistants calling themselves "nurse" probably have no other claim to the profession than the title. Those persons are most harmful
Really? Well, I would say anyone who failed to advocate for a patient, because a person who claims to have expertise they don't have can harm the patient has less claim to the title.
Would you be at all concerned if somebody who injected automotive silicon into people's faces hung a sign outside saying "Cosmetic Surgeon"?
I respond when someone calls me a nurse. I'm not a nurse though, I'm a CNA. But, I'm not going to explain to a 98 year old CONFUSED resident that I'm not a nurse, I'm a CNA and that isn't the same thing as a nurse and I need to be referred to as a CNA and ......... I would be saying that to every resident, 50-100+ times per shift. Yeah, I don't have time for that. I just say "what do you need?" and if it is something I cannot do for them (i.e. medication), I go tell the nurse.
Some nights in the E/R I like to put a stethoscope around my neck and call myself the Charge CNA..."
One of my RN friends from my hospital just landed a job as a unit manager in a LTCF and I told her that she's gonna have to hire me as "charge CNA" or else we won't be friends anymore!
I normally lurk here, but decided to respond to this thread.
I don't get why it is okay in healthcare to claim to be something you are not. I've worked in healthcare, and also in food service, retail, as a maid in a hotel, in the call center of a large law firm, and I would never dream of claiming I was a manager or higher up the food chain than I am. It just introduces a ton of liability. That and calling myself the manager, or the team lead, or the store owner, when I was not, was frowned upon, if not outright a fireable offense. No one at the law firm I worked at called themselves an attorney unless they really were an attorney.
Luckily for me, as a CNA, all my employers have been very picky and not allowed this nonsense. One place I worked at (a noteable children's hospital) even required that I state that I was a CNA when I first met the patient to do routine vitals, and also tell them who the nurse was, and then write both our names on the white board with our titles. The families knew exactly who was who, and who to call in for certain things. And if they did not, then I would state that I'm just the tech, and I will find the RN and she will help them.
I just don't get it, I really don't. I don't get why someone would want that liability. I'm not going to say that people work hard for their RN's (people do, I come from a long line of RN's) I am going to say I don't get why its okay in some places to claim you are something you are not. I don't want that liability myself. Until I am an RN, I don't want to have to deal with it. I'm content to be the CNA (or the paralegal, or the call center grunt, the cashier, the customer service rep) and hand the higher up stuff to the people who have the training to deal with it.
I don't get why it is NEVER okay to refer to oneself as a Master Sergeant, cop, Colonel, lawyer, service manager, call center manager, floor manager, franchise owner, hotel owner, or librarian...but it is okay to go around saying one is an RN. Or, for some, even claim to be (and practice, via the giving of medical advice) an MD when one is not.
I'm a CNA, plain and simple. The day I pass my boards I will then call myself a nurse. Right now I've got no more claim on being a nurse than being a brain surgeon or a Desert Storm veteran or the store manager of the South Coast Plaza Macy's.
O.K. by the overwhelming evidence, the title is so important that at all costs we must protect that title. My practice does not require that title, I care for my patients, do my best for them. If they think I'm a vet. assistant, well cool, at least they are healthy. Of course, if they knew I was a professional nurse, they could get a clue about professional nursing. Still, O.K., let us ban the word "nurse," only those who have jumped through sufficient hoops may call themselves "nurse."
I pretty much guess most on this site are not in practice or practice as students. That's o.k.
The title is not so important. The profession does deserve more respect, but when someone who is not a professional nurse calls themselves a nurse....What is the problem? If they pretended to be a professional nurse, that is another matter. Those who have a problem with cna's or even dental assistants calling themselves "nurse" probably have no other claim to the profession than the title. Those persons are most harmful.
WRONG. Not a student. Certainly in practice.
In my state (and probably in yours), the "problem" with someone who is not a nurse calling themselves a nurse is that IT IS ILLEGAL to do so. There is NO legal distinction between a "professional" nurse or "lay" nurse. You either ARE or ARE NOT a nurse. The main reason for this is to protect the public from unscrupulous individuals. Your "opinion" that it's okay for anyone to call themselves a nurse is irrelevant to the actual facts of the matter. Your logic about anyone having a problem with this having no other claim to the profession other than the title is absurd. The same legal protections are in place for many licensed professionals. You cannot walk around claiming to be a "doctor" without an M.D., D.O, or at minimum, a Ph.D. Same for attorney at law, Real Estate Broker, CPA, etc. All of this is in place to protect the public, who have a right to know that the credentials which are being claimed are actually valid. The title of "nurse" is NOT a generic term inferring that the person in question spends some time "caring" for people, it is a legal term which establishes that completion of educational and testing standards required by the state has been done and has been verified by the governing body.
In my state (and probably in yours), the "problem" with someone who is not a nurse calling themselves a nurse is that IT IS ILLEGAL to do so. There is NO legal distinction between a "professional" nurse or "lay" nurse. You either ARE or ARE NOT a nurse. The main reason for this is to protect the public from unscrupulous individuals. Your "opinion" that it's okay for anyone to call themselves a nurse is irrelevant to the actual facts of the matter. Your logic about anyone having a problem with this having no other claim to the profession other than the title is absurd. The same legal protections are in place for many licensed professionals. You cannot walk around claiming to be a "doctor" without an M.D., D.O, or at minimum, a Ph.D. Same for attorney at law, Real Estate Broker, CPA, etc. All of this is in place to protect the public, who have a right to know that the credentials which are being claimed are actually valid. The title of "nurse" is NOT a generic term inferring that the person in question spends some time "caring" for people, it is a legal term which establishes that completion of educational and testing standards required by the state has been done and has been verified by the governing body.
Cool, I get your point. So, how many people have received legal sanctions for calling themselves a nurse? The world is interesting, it could be it has happened. that would be wrong. No ethical problems with someone calling themselves "nurse." Serious problems when someone calls themselves "Registered nurse, Licenced vocational/practical nurse or Certified nursing assistant," if they do not hold that title.
3dayRN
122 Posts
LOL:D Thats awesome! I would not have corrected him either.